Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr has cautioned African countries against retaliatory actions over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying such responses risk deepening divisions across the continent.
Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, Pratt said Africa’s future depended on unity rather than political and economic retaliation.
“Africa’s salvation, ultimate salvation, lies in the unity of Africa,” he said.
His comments come amid renewed anger over attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, with some groups in other African countries calling for sanctions against South African businesses.
Pratt criticised suggestions that companies such as MTN Group should be nationalised or shut down in other African states.
“I’ve recently seen some saying MTN should be nationalised and South African companies should be closed down. It only exacerbates the problem,” he said.
He also criticised threats by neighbouring countries to cut electricity supplies to South Africa.
“What does that do?” he asked.
Pratt praised the Ghanaian government’s handling of the matter, particularly efforts by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to push for discussions at the African Union.
“We should meet and discuss these problems,” he said.
He also welcomed a statement by the minister commending Cyril Ramaphosa for steps aimed at curbing xenophobic attacks and promoting pan African unity.
“I thought it was a very mature statement to make at this stage,” Pratt said.
The journalist said Africa’s colonial borders had contributed to divisions on the continent, arguing that many boundaries were imposed without regard for African communities.
“The borders of Africa were not created by us,” he said.
Pratt referred to communities along the Ghana and Togo border where families and farmlands stretch across both countries.
“You see one house on the Ghana Togo border. The kitchen is in Ghana. The bathroom is in Togo,” he said.
He traced the divisions to the Berlin Conference led by German statesman Otto von Bismarck, where European powers partitioned Africa.
“There was no African at the table,” he said.
Pratt argued that Africa must build stronger continental cooperation to overcome poverty, inequality and conflict.
“We need to unite Africa. It’s an imperative. Without that, we are not going anywhere,” he said.
Despite supporting the evacuation of Ghanaians affected by the violence, Pratt said long term solutions required cooperation between African governments.
“We need to sit down with Cyril Ramaphosa and co and work out arrangements to safeguard the interests of all Africans,” he said.
