South Africa Denies Requesting State Visit to Ghana Amid Ramaphosa Visit Dispute

South Africa has dismissed reports claiming it formally requested a state visit to Ghana for President Cyril Ramaphosa, clarifying that recent communication between the two countries was solely to confirm arrangements for the next session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC).

President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, explained that Pretoria’s correspondence with Ghana was intended to confirm Ghana’s hosting of the upcoming BNC meeting, which is expected to be jointly chaired by Presidents Ramaphosa and 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 told the Business and Financial Times (B&FT).

His remarks come after reports in Ghana suggested that the government had declined a request by South Africa for President Ramaphosa to undertake a state visit, allegedly due to heightened tensions following recent anti-immigration protests and attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa.

However, South Africa maintained that the communication formed part of the routine diplomatic process ahead of the Bi-National Commission meeting, which serves as the main framework for strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The second session of the commission was held in South Africa in March 2024, with Ghana scheduled to host the next meeting.

Magwenya reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Ghana, noting that cooperation between the two countries spans political, economic, defence, security, and social sectors.

He added that deepening collaboration between Ghana and South Africa remains important not only for their national interests but also for advancing Africa’s broader development agenda.

source:MODERN GHANA