The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong, has urged African countries to retaliate against xenophobic attacks in South Africa through targeted trade sanctions, saying economic pressure is the only language Pretoria(Government) will understand.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the MP argued that diplomacy alone has failed and that African governments must act decisively to protect their citizens living in South Africa.
Hon. Onyina-Acheampong began by invoking historical pride, reminding listeners of South Africa’s 1996 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
He said that the tournament united the continent after apartheid and lifted Africa’s spirit.
“South Africa’s 1996 AFCON win lifted all of Africa post-apartheid, so Africans owe them respect,” he stated, but stressed that respect must be mutual and not one-sided.
The Kwabre East MP condemned the repeated attacks on African nationals in South Africa, alleging that security forces often watch while foreigners are killed, looted, and have their businesses destroyed.
He said the silence and inaction from South African authorities amount to complicity, and African leaders can no longer afford to “turn the other cheek” while their citizens suffer.
At the center of his call was economic retaliation. Hon. Onyina-Acheampong said if South Africa cannot guarantee the safety of African lives, then African countries must use the economic tools available to them.
He described trade sanctions as a legitimate diplomatic instrument to force Pretoria to act and restore security for all Africans residing in the country.
He specifically urged economic powerhouses such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique to impose trade restrictions on South Africa.
“Hit them where it hurts,” the MP urged, arguing that financial pain would compel the South African government to deal with xenophobia faster than statements, summits, or diplomatic notes ever could.
Beyond sanctions, Hon. Onyina-Acheampong pushed for a broader agenda of African self-reliance.
He said the continent must reduce dependence on South African goods and services by building local capacity in sectors where Africans already have the talent and resources.
His position is that Africa does not need to over-rely on one country for trade and investment.
Using Ghana as an example, the MP said the country should take full control of its gold trade by handing it over to capable Ghanaians rather than foreign firms.
He argued that localizing the trade would keep profits within Ghana and create jobs for entrepreneurs, miners, and processors, strengthening the domestic economy.
He also turned to telecommunications, citing MTN’s dominance across Africa as a South African-owned company.
Hon. Onyina-Acheampong proposed that African governments deliberately support homegrown telecom alternatives so that revenue from calls, data, and mobile money stays within local economies rather than being repatriated to South Africa.
The Kwabre East MP tied economic power to dignity and development.
He said cutting off parts of trade that Africans can manage themselves would not only serve as a protest against xenophobia but also build stronger, job-creating industries.
“Money must stay on the continent and create jobs for us,” he emphasized, framing it as both a response to violence and a development strategy.
By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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