President John Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to its longstanding friendship and bilateral relationship with South Africa, despite the postponement of the third session of the countries’ Bi-National Commission (BNC).
The delay was caused by “prevailing challenges” affecting people-to-people relations between the two countries, President Mahama said.
He was speaking in Accra on November 11 during a ceremony at which he received Letters of Credence from South Africa’s new High Commissioner to Ghana, Linda Vuyolwethu Shongwe, and 10 other envoys.
President Mahama used the occasion to underline Ghana’s support for multilateralism, international peace and the principles of the United Nations.
“As a peace-loving member of the United Nations, Ghana is committed to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Organization and its objectives for international peace, prosperity and the dignity of all people, and a commitment to a more just and equitable international order,” he said.
He called on the newly appointed diplomats to play an active role in expanding cooperation with Ghana and finding areas that could deliver practical benefits for their respective populations.
“I encourage your full and active engagement to identify and develop new areas of meaningful cooperation that would positively affect the lives of our two peoples,” President Mahama said.
Addressing Ms Shongwe directly, he welcomed her to Ghana and linked the present relationship between the two countries to their shared history of opposition to apartheid.
“To High Commissioner Linda Vuyolwethu Shongwe of the Republic of South Africa, I warmly welcome you to Ghana and reaffirm our commitment to the strong partnership built with your country, which is anchored on long-standing friendly relations and dates to the era of the fight against apartheid,” he said.
President Mahama also congratulated South Africa on its recent international responsibilities, praising its leadership of the G20 and its efforts to promote African priorities.
“I congratulate you on the successful conclusion of your G20 presidency and on your efforts in advocating for Africa’s priorities on the international stage,” he said.
He noted that senior officials from Ghana and South Africa had held a virtual meeting in the first quarter of 2026 to assess progress on commitments agreed at the second session of the BNC.
“I acknowledge the holding of a virtual senior officials meeting in the first quarter of 2026 between Ghana and South Africa, which discussed the status of implementation of the agreed minutes of the second Bi-National Commission,” President Mahama said.
Although the third BNC session has been postponed, he said Ghana remained determined to protect and deepen the countries’ historic ties.
“The third session of the BNC was postponed due to the prevailing challenges affecting our people-to-people relations. However, in the interest of our long-standing bonds of friendship and solidarity, Ghana is committed to further enhancing bilateral relations between our two countries.”
