Ghanaian Children in South Africa Recount Xenophobic Bullying as Families Prepare for Repatriation

Ghanaian children living in South Africa have shared harrowing accounts of daily xenophobic abuse and systemic bullying within their schools and communities. Despite many of these children being born and raised in South Africa, they face constant harassment from both peers and authority figures, highlighting the deep-seated nature of anti-migrant sentiment. The situation has reached a critical point where safety concerns have outweighed the benefits of staying, leading many immigrant families to prioritize a permanent return to Ghana to escape the hostile environment.

The testimonies reveal a disturbing trend of discrimination within the educational system, where children are subjected to derogatory slurs and social exclusion. Victims reported being called "amakwerekwere"—a highly offensive South African term used against foreigners—not only by their classmates but also by their teachers. Isaac Owusu, a father of three, expressed profound concern for his children's mental and physical well-being, stating that the insults and daily bullying have become a routine ordeal. These young victims describe a sense of alienation in the only country they have known as home, fueling a desperate desire to settle in their parents' homeland.

This surge in personal accounts of abuse coincides with broader geopolitical tensions and periodic waves of xenophobic violence that have plagued South Africa. In response to the escalating threats against its citizens, the Ghanaian government has initiated evacuation efforts to facilitate the safe return of its nationals. Official reports indicate that over 987 Ghanaians have already been repatriated as fears of violence and systemic discrimination continue to rise. This mass movement of people underscores the gravity of the crisis, as immigrant families conclude that South Africa is no longer a safe environment for raising their children.

The ordeal of these children serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of xenophobia and the failure of social integration policies. While diplomatic efforts between Accra and Pretoria continue to address the root causes of anti-foreigner sentiment, the immediate priority for many remains survival and the preservation of their children's psychological health. As the Ghanaian government continues its repatriation mission, the stories of these children highlight the urgent need for more robust protections for migrant communities and a broader regional dialogue on social cohesion across the continent.