The Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, has called on the government to provide more details on Ghana’s decision to defer a proposed state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa amid growing concerns over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Bosome Freho MP said the Minority Caucus lacked sufficient information to properly assess the diplomatic developments and determine its position on the government’s response.
According to him, greater transparency would enable the Minority to constructively contribute to discussions on how Ghana should navigate its relations with South Africa while safeguarding the interests of its citizens.
“My side of the House, the Minority, both the Minority Caucus and the NPP committee, would want to have more flesh and details, and then we can take a position, or then we can support the position of government or suggest something to government, or proposals to government to consider as we have done since the inception of these South African issues,” he said.
He said, “We do not have enough information as it stands now.”
Mr. Asafo-Adjei therefore urged the government to brief Parliament and the public on the circumstances surrounding the decision, stressing that openness would encourage broader consultation and help protect Ghana’s diplomatic and national interests.
His comments come after Ghana deferred a request for a state visit by President Ramaphosa following a surge in xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African migrants in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has maintained that the decision should not be interpreted as a breakdown in relations between the two countries.
He insisted that Ghana and South Africa continue to enjoy cordial diplomatic ties despite the concerns.
“Our relations remain cordial, as you have seen. We in Ghana have not done anything to muddy the relationship; we only had to take a step to protect our citizens from the attacks, and so we know that we have made an arrangement to bring a number of them back home, and arrangements are ongoing to bring more back home. Beyond that, we don’t think that our relations have been damaged.”
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged Ghana’s dissatisfaction with the recent attacks but emphasized that the country still holds South Africa in high regard.
“Of course, we have indicated our displeasure about what is happening in South Africa; we hold the view that the South African government could have done more to guarantee the safety and security of Ghanaians in particular and other foreigners in South Africa in general.”
He said, “But we continue to hold the South African government and its people in high esteem. And we are willing and able to maintain a healthy relationship that will result in mutual benefits for both countries.”
The government has maintained that the postponement of President Ramaphosa’s visit was a precautionary diplomatic decision aimed at addressing the immediate concerns of Ghanaian nationals affected by the xenophobic attacks while preserving the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries.
