Ghana has postponed the planned visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid rising diplomatic tensions triggered by recent anti-immigration protests and xenophobic incidents in South Africa.
The visit, which had been scheduled for the first week of August, was expected to strengthen ties between both countries and ease growing tensions. However, Ghanaian authorities decided it was best to delay the trip due to the current atmosphere surrounding the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the decision was communicated to South Africa, explaining that the visit would be rescheduled when conditions become more favourable.
In response, South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with Ghana, stating that both countries would continue diplomatic engagements to agree on a new date. South African officials also clarified that the planned trip was intended as part of ongoing bilateral discussions rather than a formal state visit.
Relations between the two nations deteriorated after a video showing a Ghanaian resident in South Africa being confronted during anti-immigration demonstrations circulated widely online. The incident sparked outrage in Ghana and intensified concerns over the safety of its citizens abroad.
Ghana has since repatriated more than 900 of its nationals from South Africa, with additional returnees expected in the coming weeks. Other African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Malawi, have also evacuated citizens following protests targeting undocumented migrants. Reports indicate that approximately 25,000 foreign nationals have been repatriated since anti-immigration campaigns intensified.
President Ramaphosa has maintained that peaceful protests are a constitutional right but pledged that his administration would take further steps to address irregular migration.
Diplomatic tensions worsened after Ghana alleged that one of its citizens was killed during anti-immigration protests in Cape Town. South African authorities rejected the claim, stating that the reported death was unrelated to the demonstrations and accusing Ghana of spreading inaccurate information.
The dispute has also raised questions over the legal status of many Ghanaian nationals residing in South Africa, with both governments offering conflicting accounts regarding their immigration documentation.
Earlier this year, Ghana appealed to the African Union to investigate recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, arguing that such incidents undermine African unity and violate the principles of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
Analysts have warned that continued anti-immigration violence and unresolved diplomatic disagreements could affect South Africa’s relationships with other African nations if meaningful action is not taken.
