Ghana Rejects Ramaphosa Visit Amid Growing Tensions

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has had  his state visit to Ghana denied on the grounds of security concerns and risks of mass unrest. The  President had been scheduled to visit Ghana in the first week of August for diplomatic discussions intended to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries and strengthen their bond. However, in light of the nationwide dissatisfaction with the actions of South Africans and the risk of mass unrest upon his arrival, the Ghanaian presidency thought it unsafe for the visit to proceed as planned.  In explaining the development, Ghana Communications Minister  Felix Kwakye Ofosu said Accra had declined the state visit because possible unrest could eclipse the scheduled discussions. 

On the other hand, the South African presidency has remarked that although they are aware of the postponement of the visit, they are still uncertain about the reason behind it. The presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya insists that the countries remain committed to each other, and to the advancement of the collective African agenda. He also remarked that rather than a state visit, the visit was to be the third of a series of bilateral national commissions between the countries. These seemingly minor disparities in the countries’ narratives of what has occurred has flared suspicion of growing tensions, and possible alienation of South Africa.

South Africa’s Recent Xenophobic Wave is Fueling Hostility Across The Continent

The recent wave of violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa have forced about a thousand Ghanaian nationals to return to their homes, while another nine hundred are still in the process of repatriation registration. The matter climaxed when the Ghanaian government alleged that a Ghanaian national, Bahiru Isak was killed on the 30th of June during anti-immigration protests in South Africa. The South Africa government has denied this and has  accused  the Ghanaian government of falsifying reports about the immigration situation in the country.

Ghanaian authorities are reported to have laid down a clear condition for the resumption of diplomatic relations: the proper address of the issues surrounding the anti-foreigner attacks in South Africa. Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa has called for the demonstrators to remain peaceful, pledging to tackle irregular migration. He also emphasized that documented migrants remain entitled to protection by the South African Constitution. Ghana has advised its citizens to put future visits to South Africa on hold.

Analysts foresee a political isolation of South Africa by other African countries if the government does not implement measures to put an end to these violent attacks on foreigners. 

Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Special Advisor to Africa has urged African countries to uphold solidarity and unity at a time like this, even as they address the key issue of free movement and regional integration. The Nigerian Senate has in addition, condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals, yet there is reluctance concerning the enforcement of sanctions against South Africa. 

This postponed visit, although framed as owing to security concerns, has flared speculations of growing tensions between the two countries. The South African authorities maintain that South Africa is not xenophobic, and the protests are only in pockets, rather than a nationwide demonstration.