Ghanaians In UK Safe Despite Escalating Violence – High Commissioner 

Despite the increasing rioting by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim protesters in the United Kingdom (UK), Ghana’s High Commissioner, has assured the public, Ghanaian citizens in that country are safe.

According to Papa Owusu Ankomah, the Commission has so far, not received any distressed call from any member of the Ghanaian Community over the protest which started last month.

Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM yesterday, August 7, Mr Ankomah, provided reassurances that no significant harm, has come to Ghanaians, amidst the unrest.

“Except for one incident where a Ghanaian reported being threatened while taking a bus, there have been no reports of any untoward incidents affecting Ghanaians in the UK,” the High Commissioner stated.

The High Commissioner, said efforts are being made to ensure the continued safety of the Ghanaian community.

“Even as of this morning, our officers are calling around the country, speaking with the leadership of the Ghanaian communities, asking for updates and urging them to encourage Ghanaians in the UK to try and be indoors by 7 pm,” he added.

Mr Ankomah, noted that Ghanaians have been urged to stay indoors at night and avoid areas where protests are expected to occur.

The comments by Paapa Owusu Ankonah, come after protests broke out in the wake of an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign stoked outrage, following a stabbing attack that left three children dead in Southport, northern England.

The European country, has been hit by escalating violence that erupted early last week after three young girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport, northwest England, triggering a wave of false messaging online that wrongly identified the suspected killer as an Islamist migrant.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a former chief prosecutor, who is facing his first crisis since winning the July 4, election, has warned rioters they would face lengthy jail terms, as he seeks to stamp out the worst outbreak of violence in Britain in 13 years.

In the first sentences handed down since the rioting started, a 58-year-old man, was jailed for three years for violent disorder, while two others, aged 41 and 29, were sentenced to 20 and 30 months respectively.

“This is the swift action we’re taking. If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law,” Starmer said.

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, said on Tuesday that prosecutors, have already charged around 100 people over the violent unrest.

The gatherings, ostensibly started as anti-immigration marches and quickly turned disorderly and violent.

Meanwhile, in the last few moments, the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, who is visiting a hotel in Rotherham which was attacked on Sunday, has issued strong warning to the protesters.

Speaking about the unrest, Rayner, said police will be there to respond to any violence or criminality planned for tonight, she said.

There is “no excuse for thuggery and criminality on our streets”, she adds.

Rayner, says any “online and offline criminality” will be faced with the law, and urges people to not get involved.

“That is not our British values,” she added.

She said now that, those who plan to throw missiles, attack people, or incite hatred – online or offline – “will be met with the law”.

“We end up in a situation where we have here, where people’s lives are at risk, where police officers’ lives were put at risk by a small minority of criminality and thuggish behaviour,” she added.

She finished by saying that, it is been “heartening” to see the community response to the disorder. The vast majority of the British people “see this for what it is”, Rayners said.

Rayner, said police and the courts “‘stand ready” to deal with people involved in the riots.

Attacking the police and hotels, like what happened at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, isn’t a “legitimate grievance”, she added, calling it “thuggery and violence”.

According to her, some of the public, have been “afraid and scared”.

Authorities, have also announced a counter-terrorism units, will be assisting police as they prepare for more “disgraceful disorder” across the UK tonight.

“We are supporting local forces with protective security expertise and advice,” says Head of Counter-Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes.

He adds those behind the violence, could be charged with terrorism offences.

“Our message to those involved in this disorder is: We are watching and we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect our communities,” Jukes says.