Ghana has postponed the visit of South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa following xenophobic rallies that resulted in hundreds of Ghanaians being repatriated from his country.
The state visit, originally scheduled for the first week of August, was expected to ease tensions between the two sister nations. However, concerns that the presence of Pretoria’s leader might spur mass protests led Ghanaian officials to defer the trip for the time being.
“We sent them a communication indicating that it would be best to defer the visit in view of the present climate around xenophobia,” said government spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
South Africa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, emphasized that the country remains committed to deepening cooperation and advancing the African Agenda. He added that both sides would continue diplomatic engagement to reschedule the visit.
The row intensified after Ghana condemned the alleged killing of a 40‑year‑old Ghanaian national living in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha suburb, a claim that South Africa has disputed. Tension is compounded by disputes over residency status of Ghanaian nationals in South Africa, with neither side providing evidence to substantiate their claims.
Ghana has repatriated more than 900 of its citizens from South Africa; a final wave of over 900 is expected to return in the coming weeks. Other African nations, including Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya, are also pulling back their nationals amid similar protests.
Senior analysts warn that if South Africa fails to address anti‑immigration sentiment, it risks isolation on the continent. The situation underscores the continued challenge of xenophobia in South Africa, which is often blamed for unemployment and crime.
Additional reporting by Khanyisile Ngcobo and Natasha Booty
