Tue, 07 Jul 2026 Feature Article

Ghana Said to Have Declined Planned Ramaphosa Visit Amid Concerns Over Safety of African Migrants

Accra reportedly seeks stronger assurances on the protection of African nationals before high-level diplomatic engagement

By Frank Ayim Damptey

South Africa

ACCRA – Reports circulating on Tuesday claim that Ghana has declined a planned state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over concerns about the safety of African nationals living in South Africa following recurring incidents of violence.

According to the reports, the decision was influenced by concerns over attacks targeting foreign African nationals and the need for stronger assurances from the South African government regarding their protection.

The reports further suggest that Ghana believes its longstanding relationship with South Africa should be anchored not only in historical solidarity but also in the safety, dignity and welfare of African citizens across the continent.

If confirmed, the move would come against the backdrop of renewed debate over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where incidents involving foreign nationals have periodically strained diplomatic relations with several African countries. Ghanaian authorities have previously expressed concern over the welfare of Ghanaians living and working in South Africa whenever such incidents have occurred.

The reported decision is also said to have prompted diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with Ghana seeking clarification on measures being taken to safeguard African migrants and prevent future attacks.

Despite the reported postponement of the visit, the reports indicate that officials do not view the development as a rupture in bilateral relations. Ghana and South Africa continue to enjoy strong diplomatic and economic ties, with significant cooperation in trade, investment, education and regional affairs.

Any postponement of a state visit would likely delay discussions on planned bilateral agreements until both governments agree on a new date and diplomatic conditions are considered favourable.

At the time of writing, there has been no independently verified official confirmation from either the Government of Ghana or the Presidency of South Africa regarding the reported decision.

Should the reports be confirmed, the development is expected to renew calls for the African Union and member states to strengthen continental efforts to combat xenophobia and ensure the protection of all African citizens living and working across the continent.

This Author has published 236 articles on modernghana.com. More I am a Ghanaian business leader, entrepreneur, industrial development professional, researcher and author with over two decades of experience in senior executive and technical roles.

I currently serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Tata Beverages Company Limited and Tata Industrial Company Limited, where I provide strategic leadership in manufacturing, product development, business growth and the promotion of locally manufactured products.

My professional experience spans a broad range of industries, including beverage and brewing, soap manufacturing, water treatment, paint and ink production, agriculture and agro-processing, food processing, technology and industrial manufacturing.

Beyond Ghana, I have provided consultancy and technical advisory services to start-ups and emerging businesses in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Through these engagements, I have supported entrepreneurs and businesses in product development, manufacturing processes, equipment selection, quality improvement and the establishment of sustainable production operations.

I am a strong advocate for Made-in-Ghana products, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, local value addition and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). I firmly believe that Ghana and Africa's long-term economic transformation will depend on our ability to produce more of what we consume, add value to our locally available resources and build competitive industries that create sustainable employment.

My interests extend beyond manufacturing to agriculture, food security, STEM education, innovation, healthcare, entrepreneurship and national development. I am particularly passionate about practical solutions that can strengthen local industries, create opportunities for young people and reduce Africa's excessive dependence on imports.

As an author and contributor to ModernGhana, I regularly write on business, manufacturing, agriculture, entrepreneurship, economic development and other issues of national and continental importance. Through my writing, I seek to stimulate constructive public discussion, challenge conventional thinking and advocate practical solutions to Ghana's development challenges.

I have also undertaken and published research in areas related to manufacturing, food processing, innovation, local raw-material utilisation and sustainable industrial development. My research interests are driven by the belief that Africa possesses enormous resources that can be transformed through research, technology, entrepreneurship and industrialisation.

Throughout my professional journey, I have remained committed to promoting local manufacturing, entrepreneurship and African industrial development.

My philosophy is simple:

“Africa must produce more of what it consumes, process more of what it produces, and build competitive businesses capable of creating jobs and competing globally.”Column: Frank Ayim Damptey

Disclaimer: "The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect ModernGhana official position. ModernGhana will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here." Follow our WhatsApp channel for meaningful stories picked for your day.

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