Ghana Delays Bilateral Talks With South Africa

Ghana has delayed high-level bilateral meetings with South Africa scheduled for August 2026 after a recent wave of anti-migrant violence that has strained relations between the two countries and raised fears for the safety of foreign nationals.

The decision was taken because the xenophobic attacks would likely overshadow the planned session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission, which was to be co-chaired by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said. Speaking to local broadcaster Joy FM, Ofosu said it would be more appropriate for both governments to meet once tensions had eased.

South Africa has been wracked by months of anti-migrant protests, some of which turned violent, although the general mood has been peaceful. The unrest has included attacks on foreign nationals, looting of foreign-owned businesses and a rising hostility to undocumented migrants. The violence led to Ghana sending hundreds of its citizens home ahead of a June 30 deadline imposed by an anti-immigrant movement calling for undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa.

Ghana said one of its citizens was shot dead in Cape Town during the protests, further straining diplomatic relations. South African Police denied the account, saying they had no record of such an incident occurring on the reported date. Authorities said preliminary investigations indicated the incident was linked to criminal extortion rather than xenophobic violence, adding that a Ghanaian national was killed a day earlier.

The two governments remain committed to the bilateral partnership and will continue to hold consultations through diplomatic channels with a view to agreeing on a new date for the commission’s meeting, said South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

The deferment comes against a backdrop of mounting concerns by African governments over the recurring eruption of anti-migrant violence in South Africa and its implications for regional relations and continental integration.

Source: Reuters