Ghana has postponed a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing a worsening row over anti-migrant violence in South Africa that has already led to hundreds of Ghanaians being sent home. The visit, expected in the first week of August, had been intended to ease tensions between the two nations, but Ghanaian officials feared Ramaphosa's presence could trigger mass protests. It matters because the deferral signals a significant diplomatic rift and highlights growing continental unease over xenophobia in South Africa.

The dispute intensified after a video of a Ghanaian man being told to "go fix his country" went viral, and Ghana has since repatriated more than 900 citizens, with a similar number still to return. Other nations, including Nigeria, Malawi and Kenya, are also bringing people home, with around 25,000 repatriated after some groups set migrants a 30 June deadline to leave. The two governments dispute key facts, including an alleged protest-related killing and whether Ghanaian migrants held valid residency papers, while analysts warn South Africa risks isolation on the continent if tensions are not addressed.