Government has welcomed the decision by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to endorse Ghana's request for the issue of xenophobic attacks in South Africa to be placed on the agenda of the next African Union (AU) Summit.

Speaking at the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government meeting in Sierra Leone, President John Dramani Mahama expressed deep concern over the recent attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa, during which several people, including Ghanaians and Nigerians, lost their lives.

The President stressed that Africa's liberation was achieved through unity and solidarity among its people and cautioned against allowing intolerance and the actions of a few individuals to undermine that shared history.

“Ghana is deeply concerned about the recent incidents of xenophobic attacks against our citizens in South Africa during which some Africans, including Ghanaians and Nigerian citizens, have lost their lives while many other African nationals have experienced fear, intimidation and uncertainty,” President Mahama said.

He welcomed ECOWAS' support for Ghana's position, stating: “Ghana welcomes the decision of the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS to fully endorse and support Ghana's petition for the African Union for the matter to be addressed at the next AU Mid-year Summit. African liberation was achieved through solidarity across our borders.”