ACCRA — Ghana postponed a state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 7, 2026. Ghanaian government spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated that Ghana communicated its preference to defer the visit, citing the current climate surrounding xenophobia in South Africa.

President Ramaphosa had planned to visit Ghana in the first week of August 2026. South African presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya stated that South Africa remains committed to "deepening cooperation" between the "two sister nations" and "advancing the African Agenda." He added that "The two countries will continue to engage through diplomatic channels to identify a mutually convenient date."

The postponement follows several developments related to xenophobia in South Africa. A video circulated showing Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian national in South Africa, being confronted and told to "go fix his country." Some groups in South Africa set a deadline of June 30, 2026, for undocumented migrants to leave the country. Approximately 25,000 migrants have been repatriated from South Africa. Ghana has repatriated more than 900 of its citizens from South Africa and expects to repatriate another batch of over 900 citizens in the coming weeks. Nigeria, Malawi, and Kenya have also repatriated their nationals from South Africa due to protests against foreigners.

Ghana condemned the alleged killing of Bahiru Isak, a 40-year-old Ghanaian national, in the Khayelitsha suburb of Cape Town. Ghanaian officials stated that he was killed during anti-immigration protests on June 30, 2026. South African authorities maintained that no killing of Bahiru Isak occurred. They stated that the only Ghanaian victim was 35-year-old Kwabena Boagen and that his death was not related to protesting activities. Ghana claims that most of its nationals living in South Africa possessed the necessary residency papers, a claim with which South African authorities disagree.

In May 2026, Ghana petitioned the African Union over recurring xenophobia in South Africa. Ghana urged the African Union to take action and launch a fact-finding mission to address attacks on foreigners. President Ramaphosa stated that people have a right to protest as long as they were peaceful. He also stated he would do more to tackle irregular migration.