Ramaphosa Visit Snub: Minority Demands Clarity

The Minority in Ghana’s Parliament is calling on the government to provide further details regarding the recent decision to defer a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as diplomatic tensions simmer over xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaian and other African nationals in South Africa.

Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, stated that the limited information currently available makes it difficult for stakeholders to properly assess the situation.

“We do not have enough information as it stands now,” Mr. Asafo-Adjei said on JoyNews’ The Pulse. He urged the government to provide more clarity, stressing that transparency would allow for broader consultation and help protect Ghana’s diplomatic and national interests.

His comments follow Ghana’s decision to defer a request for President Ramaphosa’s state visit, which was reportedly influenced by a recent wave of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa. The violence has led to the repatriation of about 1,000 Ghanaians, with hundreds more awaiting evacuation.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications, has maintained that Ghana’s relationship with South Africa remains cordial despite the concerns. He stated that the decision regarding President Ramaphosa’s visit should not be interpreted as a deterioration of diplomatic relations.

“Our relations remain cordial. We in Ghana have not done anything to muddy the relationship; we only had to take a step to protect our citizens from the attacks,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said on Joy FM’s Midday News, confirming that arrangements are ongoing to bring more Ghanaians back home.

He explained that while Ghana had expressed displeasure about the situation, the country continues to hold the South African government and its people in high esteem and is willing to maintain a healthy relationship that results in mutual benefits.

The postponement has been formally acknowledged by South Africa. In a Note Verbale dated 6 July 2026, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation referred to Ghana’s earlier diplomatic communication and requested that the Bi-National Commission meeting be postponed to a date to be mutually agreed. A presidential spokesperson for South Africa clarified that the planned engagement was linked to the Ghana-South Africa Binational Commission and not a state visit, dismissing reports that the visit had been rejected.

The postponement follows diplomatic exchanges over the reported killing of a Ghanaian national during protests in South Africa. While Ghana has raised concerns over the safety of its citizens, South African authorities have disputed Ghana’s account of the incident and rejected suggestions that the demonstrations reflected widespread xenophobic violence.