By Chiemeka Ugwowo
Ghana urges Ramaphosa to shelve planned visit amid rising xenophobic tensions
The Ghanaian government has advised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to postpone his planned state visit to Ghana, citing security concerns linked to renewed xenophobic tensions between the two countries.
The visit, scheduled for the first week of August, was expected to provide an opportunity for both nations to strengthen diplomatic ties and address growing concerns over the treatment of Ghanaian nationals and other African migrants in South Africa.
However, officials of the Ghanaian government led by President John Dramani Mahama reportedly expressed concern that the timing of the visit could provoke public anger and lead to protests in some parts of the country.
The government said it considered it necessary to advise against the visit for now, stressing that maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of all individuals remained a priority.
The proposed visit comes amid renewed discussions across Africa over xenophobic attacks and tensions involving foreign nationals in South Africa, with Ghana and other countries calling for stronger measures to protect African citizens living and doing business there.
Diplomatic observers believe the postponement, if accepted, could allow both governments more time to engage behind the scenes and create a calmer atmosphere for a future meeting between the two leaders.
The development is expected to draw further attention to the long-standing relationship between Ghana and South Africa, two of Africa’s leading economies, as they seek to balance economic cooperation with concerns over the welfare of their citizens.
