Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu has clarified that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed state visit to Ghana was scheduled long before the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
According to him, the decision to postpone the visit was not a diplomatic snub but a practical move aimed at ensuring the bilateral engagement is held under more favourable circumstances.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that the visit, initially planned for early August 2026, had been agreed upon before the attacks against foreign nationals intensified.
He said the Ghanaian government later communicated through diplomatic channels that it would be appropriate to defer the visit until tensions subside and relative calm is restored.
The Minister noted that the current situation in South Africa could overshadow the key issues both countries intended to discuss during the visit, shifting attention away from matters of mutual interest.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu stressed that Ghana continues to value its longstanding relationship with South Africa, describing the ties between the two nations as strong and rooted in shared historical, political, economic and social interests.
He explained that both governments want any future engagement to focus on strengthening cooperation and advancing initiatives that benefit the citizens of Ghana and South Africa, rather than being dominated by concerns over xenophobic violence.
The planned state visit is expected to proceed once conditions improve, allowing both countries to hold productive discussions on deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across several sectors.
