How do you solve a problem if you refuse to talk - Kwesi Pratt to South Africa

Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt has questioned the decision to postpone planned high-level engagement between Ghana and South Africa, arguing that dialogue becomes more necessary when disagreements arise.

Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, Pratt said diplomacy exists to address challenges rather than avoid them.

“People get to talk, institutions sit down to talk, governments get down to talk when there are problems, not when there are no problems,” he said.

According to him, refusing engagement because tensions exist defeats the purpose of diplomacy.

“So to say that because there’s a problem we are not talking is very strange,” he stated.

Pratt argued that discussions are essential to resolving disputes.

“If there’s a problem and you won’t talk, how do you resolve that problem?” he asked.

His comments follow Ghana’s decision to postpone a planned visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after xenophobia-related tensions and the repatriation of hundreds of Ghanaians from South Africa.

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the visit was deferred because of the prevailing atmosphere, while South Africa has maintained that both countries remain committed to continued diplomatic engagement.