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Ghana has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa following rising diplomatic tensions triggered by anti-migrant protests in South Africa and the repatriation of hundreds of Ghanaian nationals.
Ramaphosa had been scheduled to visit Ghana in early August as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and ease growing tensions between the two countries. However, Ghanaian authorities said the trip has been deferred because of the current atmosphere surrounding xenophobic attacks.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the decision was taken to avoid escalating public tensions.
“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.
South Africa downplayed the postponement, insisting relations between both countries remain strong. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Pretoria remains committed to strengthening cooperation with Ghana and that both governments would continue diplomatic engagements to agree on a new date for the visit. He also clarified that the trip was intended as part of a bilateral engagement rather than a formal state visit.
The diplomatic row intensified after a viral video showed a Ghanaian national, Emmanuel Asamoah, being confronted in South Africa and told to “go fix his country.” The incident fuelled public outrage in Ghana amid growing reports of anti-foreigner demonstrations.
Ghana has since repatriated hundreds of its citizens from South Africa, with additional returnees expected in the coming weeks. Other African countries, including Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya, have also evacuated nationals following anti-migrant protests, which reportedly prompted thousands of undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.
The dispute deepened after Ghana condemned the alleged killing of Ghanaian national Bahiru Isak during anti-immigration protests in Cape Town. South African authorities denied the claim, insisting no such incident occurred and stating that the only confirmed Ghanaian fatality, Kwabena Boagen, died in circumstances unrelated to the protests.
Another point of contention centres on the legal status of Ghanaian migrants in South Africa. While Ghana maintains that many of its citizens possess valid residency documents, South Africa disputes the claim, although neither side has publicly released evidence to support its position.
In May, Ghana petitioned the African Union to investigate recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, arguing that such actions undermine the spirit of African integration and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Analysts have warned that Pretoria could face increasing diplomatic pressure across the continent unless decisive steps are taken to address the growing anti-migrant sentiment.
Xenophobic violence has periodically resurfaced in South Africa, where some citizens blame foreign nationals for rising unemployment and crime. However, many Africans continue to remind South Africa of the solidarity and support they received from neighbouring countries during the struggle against apartheid, urging renewed commitment to African unity and peaceful coexistence
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