Ghanaians in the UK are preparing for another round of protests that have caused chaos in the country over the past few days. Many Ghanaians in affected areas are unable to leave their homes due to fear of being attacked in ongoing xenophobic violence against black people.
The protests, which erupted last month, have escalated with some protesters resorting to violent acts such as setting fire to hotels housing asylum seekers. The unrest began after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign fueled anger following a stabbing incident in Southport, northern England, which resulted in the deaths of three children. The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service announced on Tuesday that around 100 people have already been charged in connection with the violent incidents.
The protests initially began as anti-immigration marches but quickly turned disorderly and violent. Some Ghanaian residents in the UK have expressed feeling traumatized by the situation. “We are scared because of the current protests happening here in the UK,” one parent told JoyNews. “We have warned our kids not to go out because we have been told the protesters are heading to South-west London where we stay.” Another student shared their concerns, stating, “I cannot go out because I don’t know what will happen on my way back or on my way to school because I may be alone.”
A Ghanaian journalist in the UK, Kofi Richie, reported to JoyNews that the attacks are expected to intensify in London today, Wednesday. “What we have done as the media is that we have worded a few combined messages and sent them viral based on the intelligence that was made available to us that Wednesday, 7th of August, there will be a serious demonstration in London,” he explained.
International Relations Expert, Dr. Ishmael Hlovor, has urged the government to issue security alerts to Ghanaians in the UK. “As an Embassy, you have to send signals to your citizens wherever they are. You should be encouraging them to stay indoors and avoid certain areas that have been targeted by these white supremacists. We are expecting that if they have the contact of some Ghanaians in that territory, they would have sent messages to them, cautioning them about what they should do in case of coming under attack and cautioning them not to be seen in areas where protestors are gathered.”
Source: Joy News
