Cape Town – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola says his recent visit to Ghana as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between the two countries, despite concerns raised over violence linked to anti-immigration protests in South Africa.
Speaking about his visit to Accra, Lamola said he was received by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and their delegation, where the two sides held frank and constructive discussions.
Lamola said both countries agreed that the issue would not undermine the strong diplomatic ties between South Africa and Ghana.
“The meeting reaffirmed South Africa-Ghana relations, that this matter on the table is not going to impact or affect South Africa-Ghana relations, because the relationship between Ghana and South Africa is enduring and has a long history of solidarity under apartheid, but also beyond apartheid.”
He expressed that South African companies continue to play a significant role in Ghana’s economy, with several listed among the leading companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange.
RECAP 📹| Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola reflects on his recent visit to Ghana as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy. #GovZAUpdates #MigrationSA pic.twitter.com/ZeajeHKbZH
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 27, 2026
Lamola said another key point of agreement was that both countries, as sovereign states, have the right to enforce their respective immigration laws.
“South Africa as a sovereign country has a right to enforce its immigration laws, just like Ghana has the right to enforce its own immigration laws.”
However, he said the Ghanaian delegation raised concerns about violence associated with recent and previous anti-immigration protests in South Africa, particularly incidents involving individuals allegedly taking the law into their own hands.
According to Lamola, Ghana expressed concern about what it viewed as impunity for individuals impersonating Home Affairs and police officials during the protests.
In response, Lamola said South Africa had outlined the steps taken by law enforcement, including the arrest of suspects accused of impersonating police officers, as well as those allegedly involved in looting, housebreaking and other criminal acts during the protests.
He added that specific cases involving Ghanaian nationals, including the murder of a Ghanaian citizen in Nyanga, remain under active police investigation.
“We were able to demonstrate that there is work that law enforcement is doing with regards to these cases.”
Lamola said the discussions reflected the commitment of both governments to maintaining strong bilateral relations while addressing concerns through ongoing cooperation and law enforcement.
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Picture: Instagram/ Ronald Lamola
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
