South Africa has dismissed reports of a diplomatic rift with Ghana, clarifying that recent discussions between the two countries were about preparations for the next South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting, not a request for President Cyril Ramaphosa to make a state visit.
The clarification follows media reports suggesting Ghana had declined to host President Ramaphosa amid concerns over recent anti-illegal migration protests in South Africa.
Speaking to the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) monitored ny the Ghana Report, South African Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said no request for a state visit had been made.
Instead, Pretoria had only sought confirmation of arrangements for the third session of the Bi-National Commission, which will be co-chaired by Presidents of both countries.
“The request was to confirm the seating of the BNC, which had already been agreed upon after the previous meeting. There was no request for a state visit,” Mr Magwenya said.
He explained that the correspondence between officials was part of routine diplomatic preparations for the BNC, the highest platform for bilateral cooperation between Ghana and South Africa.
Mr Magwenya stressed that relations between the two countries remain strong, with cooperation spanning politics, trade, defence, security and social development.
He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership, describing closer collaboration as vital to advancing Africa’s development agenda.
Officials from both countries, he added, will continue consultations to agree on a suitable date for the next BNC meeting, which Ghana is expected to host.
Addressing concerns over recent anti-illegal migration protests in South Africa, Mr Magwenya said there was no evidence that Ghanaian nationals had been specifically targeted.
“We don’t believe there should be any tension whatsoever with Ghana,” he said, adding that there were no facts to suggest Ghanaians had been disproportionately affected by the protests.
However, he expressed concern over comments attributed to Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, saying they had heightened public tensions.
Despite this, Mr Magwenya insisted Pretoria remains committed to maintaining warm diplomatic ties with Ghana and working together to promote regional development.
The clarification comes as migration issues continue to attract attention across Africa, even as both countries deepen cooperation in trade, investment and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
South Africa’s latest statement signals a shared commitment to ensuring temporary tensions do not overshadow the long-standing partnership between Accra and Pretoria.
