Ghana rejects Ramaphosa visit plans after turning down a state visit request from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, with officials citing safety concerns for Ghanaian nationals amid ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Diplomatic sources in Accra and Pretoria told the Daily Graphic that Ghana rejects Ramaphosa visit plans that had been expected to go ahead in the first week of August.
The decision follows a fresh wave of anti-foreigner violence that has forced the repatriation of about 1,000 Ghanaians, with hundreds more registered for evacuation, the Daily Graphic reported.
A Ghanaian national, identified as 40 year old Bashiru Isak, was reportedly killed during demonstrations linked to the attacks on 30 June, Sena Radio Online reported, citing Ghanaian government sources.
South African authorities have disputed that account. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said no deaths were recorded during the protests and accused Ghana of spreading misleading information about the incident, Sena Radio Online reported.
A South African diplomatic source told the Daily Graphic that Ghana rejects Ramaphosa visit requests under the current circumstances because a high level visit would be inappropriate given the tense environment.
The source added that Accra was equally mindful of the security risks facing President Ramaphosa himself, with fears that his reception could stir hostility given the volatile mood surrounding the attacks.
Why Ghana rejects Ramaphosa visit proposals now traces back to weeks of mounting tension. Ghana had earlier summoned South Africa’s ambassador to protest what it described as acts of xenophobia, according to The Africa Report.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry had previously welcomed Ramaphosa’s condemnation of the attacks but pressed for concrete action against those responsible, Citi Newsroom reported, citing ministry spokesperson Fred Duhoe.
Duhoe told Citi Newsroom that Ghana had carried out three evacuation exercises so far and was assessing the situation to determine whether a fourth would be needed.
Despite the diplomatic strain, a source stressed that relations between Ghana and South Africa remain cordial, with both nations committed to their longstanding ties, the Daily Graphic reported.
South Africa’s government has consistently maintained that the violence does not reflect official policy. Ramaphosa said in an open letter that opportunists were exploiting genuine grievances under the false guise of community activism, The Africa Report reported.
Ghana’s move to reject Ramaphosa’s visit adds to a wider diplomatic rift as African governments continue to raise concerns over the treatment of their citizens in South Africa.
Nigeria has also voiced concern over attacks on its nationals, with both Abuja and Accra pressing South Africa to take firmer action against perpetrators, even as Ghana rejects Ramaphosa visit overtures for now.
For now, whether Ghana rejects Ramaphosa visit requests permanently or only temporarily depends on South Africa showing decisive steps to protect foreign nationals and restore calm.
