In brief
Ghana postponed the announced visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after a wave of anti‑immigrant protests in Accra led to the repatriation of more than 900 Ghanaians from South Africa. Ghanaian protestors feared the president’s presence would trigger mass demonstrations, prompting a decision to defer the trip. The dispute follows a viral video in which a Ghanaian resident in South Africa was told to "go fix his country," and the ensuing diplomatic friction over the status of Ghanaian nationals’ residency papers. South Africa’s spokesperson said the meeting was a bilateral one, not a state visit, while Ghanaian officials maintained it was a state visit. Both governments have agreed to stay in dialogue to reschedule the trip once tensions calmed. The incident highlights growing xenophobia in South Africa and the need for clearer evidence of residents’ legal status.
Ghana has postponed the visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, originally slated for the first week of August, after a surge of xenophobic rallies in Accra forced the repatriation of more than 900 Ghanaians from South Africa.
Accra officials warned that the president’s presence could spark mass protests, leading spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu to announce the indefinite deferral of the trip.
South Africa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Pretoria remains committed to deepening cooperation with Ghana and that the visit was intended as a bilateral meeting rather than a state visit, noting the two sides would identify a mutually convenient date through diplomatic channels.
The row intensified after a viral video showed a Ghanaian resident in South Africa being told to "go fix his country" during anti‑immigration protests, and the disputes over whether the death of a Ghanaian national in Cape Town was linked to these protests. South African officials dispute the claims, and both governments have yet to provide evidence regarding the residency status of Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.
Ghana has petitioned the African Union for a fact‑finding mission into the escalating xenophobia in South Africa, citing the need to address attacks on foreigners that contravene the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. Analysts warn that without urgent action, South Africa could face political isolation on the continent.
Additional reporting by Khanyisile Ngcobo and Natasha Booty
