A regular biennial conference between Ghanaian and South African business leaders has been postponed indefinitely as diplomatic relations over xenophobic violence in South Africa takes a new twist.
This year’s BNC (Bi-national Commission) event between Ghanaian and South African business leaders was scheduled for the first week of August, with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, scheduled to participate in the conference.
But the Ghanaian government has declined a request by President Ramaphosa for the official visit to Ghana, citing heightened concerns over recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa that have affected Ghanaian nationals.
And after the government further declined an invitation from the South African counterpart to discuss the matter, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa requested “the postponement of the BNC to a date to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels”.
According to Daily Graphic’s diplomatic sources in Accra and Pretoria, the decision to decline President Ramaphosa the opportunity to visit followed a surge in anti-foreigner violence in parts of South Africa in recent weeks that has led to the evacuation of about 1,000 Ghanaians, with an additional 900 said to have been registered for repatriation.
Sources confirmation
A source from South Africa told the Daily Graphic that “the Ghanaian government was deeply concerned about the safety and dignity of its citizens in South Africa” and could not proceed with a high-level visit “under the current circumstances”.
A Ghanaian source with knowledge about the issue confirmed the decision, stressing the government’s position on protecting its citizens abroad.
The source said the Ghanaian government was deeply concerned about the security implications for the South African President, taking into account fears of reprisal action.
The source added that the government’s position on the protection of Ghanaians abroad was non-negotiable, as it feared that, in the present volatile xenophobic situation in South Africa, a reception for President Ramaphosa might spark unwelcoming emotions that might embarrass the Ghanaian government and strain the cordial relationship between the two countries.
The source indicated that the message had since been conveyed to South Africa, and urged the Rainbow Nation to take concrete steps to address the attacks and to guarantee the security of Ghanaians living in South Africa.
The source in Ghana, however, affirmed that the relationship between the two countries remained cordial.
Concerns
Among concerns expressed by Ghanaian diplomats, the country wants definitive action on property and other resources of Ghanaians left behind in South Africa, possible compensation for physical and economic losses by Ghanaians living in South Africa, and assurances of better relations among nationals of the two countries in the wake of strained conditions that compelled Accra to evacuate nearly 1,000 citizens from South Africa recently.
One Ghanaian was reported to have been killed in the attacks on June 30 this year when the South African xenophobic groups intensified their demonstration against African migrants in their country.
Summoning diplomat
Ghana had earlier summoned the then acting South African High Commissioner to Ghana following the killing of the Ghanaian migrant in one of the xenophobic acts.
Along with the petition to the African Union for an action against South Africa for the xenophobic violence against migrant Africans, Ghana has been a leading figure in the effort to call South Africa to order.
Diplomatic implications
President Ramaphosa’s state visit to Accra would have centred on discussions on bilateral trade, African Union reforms, and regional security ahead of the next African Union Summit.
The visit was expected to also focus on strengthening economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
By declining the request for now, the government has joined a growing number of African countries expressing concern over the treatment of African migrants in South Africa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued a formal public statement on the decision to decline the South African President's state visit to Ghana.
However, it earlier condemned the killing of its nationals, and called on South African authorities to “provide security guarantees for Ghanaians and other African nationals; accelerate investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators of the attacks, among other demands”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also advised Ghanaians in South Africa to remain calm, avoid confrontation, and register with the High Commission for consular support. It has also issued a travel advisory for its nationals travelling to South Africa.
Background
The development comes amid renewed xenophobic attacks in several South African provinces targeting African migrants, including traders and informal workers.
Videos and reports of looting of foreign-owned shops and assaults have circulated widely on social media, sparking condemnation across the continent.
The Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria has been working with South African authorities and the International Organisation for Migration to facilitate the return of affected Ghanaians.
Consular officials have also been engaging communities to document cases and provide assistance.
The death of a 40-year-old Ghanaian, Bashiru Isak, is one of the incidents that has attracted public anger in Ghana, with civil society groups and the Ghana Union of Traders Association calling on the government to take a firm stance.
