South Africa has dismissed reports claiming it requested a state visit for President Cyril Ramaphosa to Ghana, insisting that recent diplomatic engagements between Pretoria and Accra were solely focused on preparations for the next South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting.
The clarification follows media reports suggesting that Ghana had rejected a request for President Ramaphosa to undertake a state visit, allegedly due to tensions arising from recent anti-illegal migration protests in South Africa.
However, President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) that no request for a state visit had been made.
According to him, the communication between the two governments was intended to confirm Ghana’s hosting of the next BNC meeting, which is expected to be co-chaired by President Ramaphosa and President John Dramani Mahama.
“The request was to confirm the seating of the BNC, which was to be co-chaired by both Presidents and had already been agreed upon after the last BNC meeting. There was no request for a state visit,” Magwenya said.
He explained that the correspondence formed part of routine diplomatic processes and should not be misconstrued as a request for a state visit.
“The latest correspondence was more of a formality than a new request. It was within the context of an already established process between the two countries. There was no request for a state visit, which is very different from a working visit over a BNC,” he added.
The South African Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with Ghana, describing the relationship as a strategic partnership spanning political cooperation, trade, investment, defence, security and social development.
The Bi-National Commission, established in 2019, serves as the principal platform for coordinating bilateral cooperation between the two countries. While the second BNC meeting was held in South Africa in March 2024, Ghana is expected to host the next session.
Magwenya said both governments would continue diplomatic consultations to agree on a suitable date for the meeting.
He also rejected claims that Ghanaian nationals had been specifically targeted during recent anti-illegal migration protests in South Africa.
“We don’t believe there should be any tension whatsoever with Ghana or any basis for hostility between the two countries. There are no facts to support that Ghanaian nationals have been disproportionately affected by the recent wave of anti-illegal migration protests,” he stated.
He, however, expressed concern over comments attributed to Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Ghana’s Foreign Minister, saying such remarks had heightened tensions between the two countries.
Despite this, Magwenya stressed that Pretoria remains committed to preserving cordial relations with Accra.
“Notwithstanding all of that, we remain committed to maintaining warm diplomatic relations with Ghana and continuing to work with them in advancing the development of our continent,” he said.
The clarification underscores the determination of both countries to keep migration-related concerns from affecting their longstanding bilateral ties, as they continue to deepen cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).