Ghana condemns xenophobic attacks in South Africa

   ACCRA, Sept.5 -- The Ghanaian government on Wednesday condemned and described as unfortunate the xenophobic attacks in South Africa on African nationals and the looting of foreign and local shops.
   Xenophobic attacks have broken out in South Africa following a planned strike by truck drivers in that country protesting the presence of foreign nationals in the trucking business.
   In a statement issued in Accra via the foreign ministry, the Ghanaian government urged South African authorities to take all necessary actions that will guarantee harmonious co-existence between South Africans and Africans resident in South Africa.
   There are no confirmed Ghanaian casualties at the moment, the statement said.
   "The government calls on the South African authorities to deal firmly with all the criminal elements associated with the attacks and the looting of shops, and to put in place measures to guarantee the safety and security of all African nationals and Ghanaians resident in South Africa," read the statement.
   Meanwhile, Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, George Ayisi-Boateng, has urged Ghanaians residing in that country to be cautious amid the unrest and xenophobic attacks.Xinhua