Accra, 13 June 2026– Organizers of planned protests in Ghana have abandoned their mission to shut down South African-owned businesses including MTN and DStv, after participants said they realized the economic impact would affect local employees.
The planned demonstrations were initially framed as a response to reports of foreign nationals being dismissed in South Africa over issues related to criminal conduct and immigration documentation. Organizers said the protests aimed to pressure South African companies operating in Ghana.
However, many of the youth involved withdrew support after discussions about employment. MTN, DStv, and other South African firms have significant operations in Ghana and employ thousands of Ghanaians across retail, customer service, technical, and corporate roles. “We realized we have more to lose than to gain,” one protest organizer in Accra told local media. “These companies employ our brothers, sisters, and friends. Shutting them down would hurt Ghanaians first.”
South Africa has seen increased scrutiny of undocumented foreign nationals and cases involving criminal activity in recent months. Authorities have emphasized that enforcement actions are based on violations of immigration law and alleged criminal conduct, not nationality. The South African government has repeatedly stated that legal foreign nationals and businesses are welcome and protected under the law.
Officials from MTN Ghana and MultiChoice Ghana, operator of DStv, have not issued statements on the abandoned protest plans. Both companies maintain large workforces and supplier networks in Ghana.
Analysts say the shift reflects the complex economic ties between South Africa and other African countries. South African companies are among the largest foreign investors in Ghana’s telecoms, retail, and media sectors. The decision to call off the shutdown efforts comes as Ghana and South Africa continue diplomatic and trade cooperation through the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
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