You’re No Longer Welcome: Ghana Slams Door On State Visit By South Africa’s President
Ghana has called off South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s planned state visit, citing concerns over the reported killing of a Ghanaian citizen and alleged xenophobic attacks against its nationals.
President Ramaphosa was expected to visit Ghana in the first week of August as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
However, Ghanaian authorities said the visit would not proceed until concerns over the safety of Ghanaians living in South Africa were adequately addressed.
The dispute follows the death of 40-year-old Ghanaian fashion designer Bashiru Isak, whom Ghana says was shot dead during demonstrations linked to renewed anti-immigrant unrest in Khayelitsha on June 30.
Ghana has lodged a formal protest with South African authorities, describing the incident as an act of xenophobic violence and demanding that those responsible be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
South Africa has, however, disputed Ghana’s account, insisting that no fatalities were recorded during the June 30 demonstrations, which attracted thousands of protesters in different parts of the country.
