PRETORIA, Gauteng — Addressing recent concerns regarding Ghana-South Africa relations, High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie has firmly dismissed claims of a diplomatic rift between Accra and Pretoria. The clarification comes as the West African nation continues a highly coordinated repatriation exercise for its nationals currently residing in the Republic of South Africa, ensuring the process remains collaborative and frictionless.
According to Quashie, the repatriation logistics have been a seamless joint effort. The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working hand-in-hand with South African state agencies, specifically the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Border Management. This synchronized approach has successfully facilitated the evacuation of 926 Ghanaian citizens so far, with additional groups currently staged and ready for their voluntary return flights.
The High Commissioner noted a brief logistical pause in the current wave of repatriations, clarifying that it is strictly due to resource reallocation rather than bilateral friction. The South African officials who assisted Ghana with its first three charter flights have temporarily relocated to Durban. There, they are assisting in the evacuation of Malawian nationals. Quashie assured that once these officers return to Pretoria, the repatriation of the remaining Ghanaian citizens will immediately resume in full swing.
Despite the operational success, the diplomatic corridor experienced heightened anxiety around June 30. However, Quashie moved to quell any lingering speculation about the state of Ghana-South Africa relations, citing recent public affirmations from the highest levels of the Ghanaian government. He pointed to statements made by the President of Ghana during a visit to London, as well as clear directives from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirming that no diplomatic row exists.
“The two countries have been good in terms of friendship, in terms of our bilateral transactions, in terms of also our multilateral businesses across board,” Quashie stated, describing the overall relationship as “top-notch.”
The core of the recent friction, according to the High Commissioner, was not a breakdown in diplomacy, but rather a standard demand for the protection of foreign nationals. Quashie emphasized that Ghana is simply asking Pretoria to uphold the global standard of caring for foreign citizens within its borders, invoking the shared continental philosophy of “Ubuntu.” While Accra acknowledged that there were recent challenges regarding this spirit of mutual care, the High Commissioner expressed confidence that the South African government is actively working to improve the situation.
Quashie framed Ghana’s posture not as hostility, but as a necessary diplomatic function. “We are only being fair and being that person that is supposed to hold you accountable,” he explained, noting that if the situations were reversed, Ghana would expect Pretoria to hold its own government to the exact same standards.
Looking toward the future, the High Commissioner struck an optimistic tone. He highlighted the interventions and statements made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the days following June 30 as pivotal moments that have helped de-escalate tensions. With both governments committed to the safe, voluntary return of citizens and the preservation of their historical friendship, Quashie remains confident that the two nations are successfully navigating the situation and moving forward on a positive trajectory.