GHANA HAS DECLINED STATE VISIT BY SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA OVER XENOPHOBIC ATTACK

Fresh diplomatic tensions have emerged between Ghana and South Africa after the Ghanaian government declined to host South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for a planned state visit, citing concerns over the reported k+lling of a Ghanaian citizen and alleged xenophobic att@cks against its nationals.

Ramaphosa had been expected to visit Ghana in the first week of August to strengthen the longstanding relationship between both countries. However, Ghanaian authorities said the visit could not go ahead until concerns over the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa are adequately addressed.

The decision follows the d+ath of 40-year-old Ghanaian fashion designer Bashiru Isak, who Ghana says was sh+t d£ad during demonstrations linked to renewed anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa’s Khayelitsha township on June 30.

Ghana has formally protested to South African authorities, describing the incident as a senseless act of xenophobic v+olence and insisting that those responsible be identified, arrested and prosecuted.

South Africa, however, has rejected Ghana’s account, maintaining that no fatalities were recorded during the June 30 demonstrations, which drew thousands of protesters across different parts of the country.

South Africa’s Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, accused Ghanaian officials of spreading misinformation, saying, “It is concerning that Ghanaian authorities continue to communicate false information about South Africa regarding developments on irregular migration.”

She added, “The spread of false information to perpetuate the false narrative that South Africa is xenophobic is unacceptable.”

The disagreement has renewed attention on the safety of African migrants in South Africa, where previous outbreaks of v+olence against foreign nationals have repeatedly sparked concern across the continent.