The Ghanaian government has declined a planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing concerns over the killing of a Ghanaian national and alleged xenophobic attacks against Ghanaians in South Africa.
The decision followed the death of 40-year-old Bashiru Isak, whom Ghanaian authorities said was killed during demonstrations linked to renewed attacks on foreign nationals on June 30, 2026.
Government sources said the move was prompted by growing concerns over the safety of Ghanaians residing in South Africa and the need for urgent action to address reported violence against foreign nationals.
President Ramaphosa had been scheduled to visit Ghana in the first week of August for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and discussing measures to tackle concerns over attacks on foreign nationals.
However, Ghanaian authorities said the prevailing situation must first be addressed before such a high-level diplomatic engagement could take place.
The Ghanaian government has also lodged a formal protest with South African authorities over Mr Isak’s death and wider concerns about the safety of its citizens living in the country.
According to Ghanaian officials, Mr Isak was shot dead during what they described as anti-immigrant demonstrations linked to continuing xenophobic attacks in Khayelitsha.
South African authorities, however, rejected Ghana’s account of the incident, insisting the claims surrounding the killing were inaccurate and unsupported by available facts.
The South African government maintained that no deaths were recorded during the June 30 demonstrations, which drew thousands of protesters in different parts of the country.
South Africa’s Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said Ghana’s description of the incident was misleading and could damage South Africa’s image.
“It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration,” she said in a statement.
“The spread of false information to perpetuate the false narrative that South Africa is xenophobic is unacceptable,” she added.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of African nationals living in South Africa, with Ghana urging stronger measures to safeguard its citizens and prevent further attacks.
Although Ghana and South Africa have long enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations built on cooperation in trade, investment and regional affairs, the disagreement has strained ties as both countries seek to resolve the issues surrounding the incident.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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