Ghana delays South Africa bilateral talks amid violence

Ghana has postponed a high-level bilateral meeting with South Africa that was scheduled for early August, citing concerns that a recent surge of anti-immigrant violence in South Africa would overshadow the diplomatic agenda. The planned session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission, which was to be co-chaired by Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and John Dramani Mahama in Accra, has been deferred to a later date.

Ghanaian Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced the decision on Tuesday, July 7, stating that the government believed it best to postpone the meetings until tensions subside. He emphasized that the relationship between the two nations remains cordial, but expressed concern that the current climate of violence could detract from the important issues to be discussed. He said Ghana had sent a diplomatic communication to South Africa requesting the deferral.

South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the commission meeting had been discussed for months and that Pretoria learned of Ghana's wish to postpone it when seeking to confirm logistical arrangements. He firmly dismissed widespread media reports that President Ramaphosa...