Ghana postpones President Ramaphosa's state visit amid South African xenophobic violence

The Ghanaian government has delayed and effectively rejected South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s planned state visit, citing a surge of anti‑immigrant attacks in South Africa that have targeted Ghanaian nationals. Officials said the climate was inappropriate for a high‑profile visit and cited the reported killing of 40‑year‑old Ghanaian fashion designer Bahiru Isak during protests in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha township on June 30. Ghana has repatriated more than 900 citizens and summoned South Africa’s ambassador to Accra, while also appealing to the African Union for intervention.

South African authorities dispute the fatality claim, stating no Ghanaian was killed in the demonstrations and accusing Ghana of spreading false information. Both sides have agreed to reschedule the meeting through diplomatic channels.

The diplomatic fallout has been echoed by Ghanaian politicians, including Deputy Communications Director George Krobea Asante, who urged that South African businesses in Ghana be “chased out” as a response to the xenophobic attacks, and MP Samuel Jinapor, who emphasized that Ghana’s foreign policy must protect its citizens abroad while remaining grounded in credible facts.