Former Presidential aide Dr. Cadman Atta Mills has described Ghana’s reported decision to decline a proposed visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as “an appropriate response,” expressing disappointment over what he called the South African leader’s weak handling of escalating xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
His comments come amid growing diplomatic tension between Ghana and South Africa following a wave of xenophobic violence that has reportedly claimed the lives of foreign nationals, including Ghanaians.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated over the past two months as attacks on Ghanaian nationals intensified. The situation prompted the Government of Ghana to airlift hundreds of its citizens from South Africa. Barely a week ago, another Ghanaian was reportedly killed during the latest outbreak of xenophobic violence.
Reacting to a Citi FM report on X that Ghana had declined a proposed visit by President Ramaphosa, Dr. Atta Mills described the reported move as “sad, but an appropriate response.”
While expressing personal admiration for the South African President, he said the current situation had left him deeply disappointed.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa is a dear friend of mine, President Mills, and Ghana,” Atta Mills stated.
He explained that he first got to know Ramaphosa when the South African leader mentored his son, Kodwo, eventually grooming him to become Acting Chief Executive Officer of Shanduka.
According to Atta Mills, his personal relationship with Ramaphosa has convinced him of the South African President’s longstanding commitment to Pan-Africanism.
“I believe I can vouch for his Pan-African credentials,” he said.
Despite that confidence, Atta Mills questioned what he described as Ramaphosa’s subdued response to the attacks.
“For this reason, I am extremely surprised by his very weak response to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Perhaps, there are political and economic considerations that escape us,” he noted.
However, he argued that certain values should never be compromised regardless of political or economic pressures.
According to him, the promotion of African unity and solidarity, the rejection of xenophobia, and respect for human dignity must remain paramount.
“There are certain causes — the promotion of African unity and solidarity, rejection of xenophobia, and abhorrence of the inhumanity of man to man — which cannot be made subservient to any other considerations,” he stressed.
Atta Mills concluded his remarks with a direct message to the South African leader: “Sorry, President Ramaphosa. Maybe next time.”
The reported decision by Ghana to decline President Ramaphosa’s proposed visit has not yet been officially confirmed by the governments of either Ghana or South Africa. However, it comes against the backdrop of sustained public outrage over the attacks on African migrants in South Africa and renewed calls for stronger continental action against xenophobia.
