Ghana Postpones South African President’s Visit Amid Escalating Xenophobia Row
The Government of Ghana has postponed the planned visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following growing diplomatic tensions triggered by anti-migrant protests and allegations of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.
President Ramaphosa was expected to visit Ghana during the first week of August as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and ease tensions between the two countries. However, the visit has now been deferred after the Ghanaian government expressed concerns that the prevailing public mood could lead to widespread protests during the South African leader’s stay.
Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed the decision, stating that Ghana had formally communicated its position to Pretoria.
“We sent them a communication indicating that it would be best to defer the visit in view of the present climate around xenophobia,” he said.
The postponement comes after weeks of diplomatic disagreements sparked by anti-foreigner demonstrations across parts of South Africa. The protests have forced thousands of African migrants, including Ghanaians, Nigerians, Kenyans and Malawians, to return to their home countries amid fears for their safety.
South Africa has attempted to ease concerns, insisting that relations between the two countries remain strong. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya reaffirmed Pretoria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana and promoting African unity.
He explained that both governments would continue diplomatic engagements to agree on a new date for the visit, adding that the planned trip was not a formal state visit but rather the third in a series of bilateral meetings between the two nations.
Relations between Ghana and South Africa deteriorated significantly after a viral video showed a young Ghanaian resident, Emmanuel Asamoah, being verbally abused and told to “go fix his country.” The footage intensified public outrage in Ghana and renewed concerns about the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa.
Since then, Ghana has repatriated more than 900 of its citizens from South Africa, with another large group expected to return in the coming weeks. Similar evacuation exercises have also been carried out by Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya following sustained anti-immigration protests.
Some protest groups had reportedly issued undocumented migrants with a deadline of June 30 to leave South Africa, leading to the repatriation of an estimated 25,000 foreign nationals.
President Ramaphosa has defended the right of South Africans to protest peacefully while acknowledging the need for stronger measures to address irregular migration.
The diplomatic dispute intensified further after Ghana accused South Africa of failing to protect foreign nationals following the reported killing of Bahiru Isak, a 40-year-old Ghanaian, during protests in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha community.
However, South African authorities have rejected Ghana’s claims, insisting that no such incident occurred. According to Pretoria, the only confirmed Ghanaian casualty was Kwabena Boagen, whose death authorities maintain was unrelated to the anti-immigration demonstrations.
South Africa’s Justice Minister subsequently accused Ghana of spreading false information regarding the country’s handling of irregular migration and security developments.
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Another major point of disagreement concerns the legal status of Ghanaian migrants residing in South Africa. While the Ghanaian government insists that many of its citizens possess valid residency documentation, South African authorities argue otherwise. Neither government has publicly presented evidence to substantiate its position.
In May, Ghana formally petitioned the African Union, calling for a fact-finding mission into recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Accra argued that repeated attacks on African migrants undermine the spirit of continental integration and violate the principles of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Political analysts warn that unless decisive action is taken to address recurring xenophobic violence and improve the treatment of foreign nationals, South Africa could face increasing diplomatic isolation across the African continent.
Xenophobic attacks have periodically erupted in South Africa over the years, with some citizens blaming migrants for unemployment, crime and pressure on public services. However, many Africans continue to remind South Africa of the solidarity and support provided by other African nations during the country’s struggle against apartheid and its eventual transition to democracy.
The postponement of President Ramaphosa’s visit underscores the seriousness of the current diplomatic tensions and highlights the urgent need for constructive dialogue, regional cooperation and lasting solutions to protect the rights and dignity of all Africans living across the continent.
