The Ghanaian government has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following recent anti-migrant attacks in South Africa that affected several foreign nationals, including Ghanaians.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision comes weeks after reports emerged of undocumented migrants and other African nationals being assaulted by groups of South Africans during a wave of anti-migrant violence.
In response to the incidents, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Ablakwa, summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner, Thando Dalamba, to register the country’s “strong concern” over the reported intimidation and harassment of foreign nationals. Ghana also commenced the repatriation of some of its citizens from South Africa.
Reports on Tuesday suggested Ghana had rejected Ramaphosa’s proposed state visit as a diplomatic response to the attacks. However, the Ghanaian government clarified that the visit had only been deferred and not cancelled.
Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, Ghana’s Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu, said both countries agreed that the prevailing tensions could overshadow the purpose of the visit.
“Let me indicate that this is a visit that had been planned well in advance of the outbreak of the recent xenophobic attacks. Indeed, it was slated to take place in early August 2026, but given the outbreak of these attacks and all the issues that have arisen therefrom, we sent a diplomatic communication to the South African government that we believe it is best to defer the visit until such a time when these matters have been resolved, and there is relative calm.”
He added that holding the visit amid the tensions would likely distract from the key issues both countries intended to discuss.
“Given the nature of the recent attacks, there is a likelihood that they will overshadow the very important issues that would have to be discussed during such a visit. So we believe that when matters settle, and the issue of xenophobic attacks no longer hangs over such discussions, it will then be appropriate to have the visit.”
Meanwhile, South Africa dismissed reports that Ramaphosa had requested a state visit.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that Pretoria had only sought confirmation from Ghana regarding arrangements for the third session of the Bi-National Commission, which is expected to be jointly chaired by the presidents of both countries.
Despite the postponement, Ghana has maintained that its diplomatic relations with South Africa remain cordial.
