It was coach Vera Pauw’s second game in charge, having drawn 2-2 with Zimbabwe in her first assignment at the same venue last month.
A second half free-kick from Portia Boakye separated the two sides in a match that was attended by Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula, SASCOC President Gideon Sam and SAFA President Danny Jordaan.
There was little to talk about in the opening 45 minutes as the two teams looked happy in weighing out each other, with little goalmouth action.
However, the match opened up big time in the second half with Ghana’s Boakye, Elizabeth Cudjoe and Mercy Myles causing lots of problems to the Banyana back-four.
Pauw’s charges didn’t sit back, however, and fashioned their own attacks with Leandra Smeda at the heart of all of the attacks.
Captain Janine van Wyk made a timely tackle soon after the restart when Cudjoe was about to pull a trigger.
However, it was Boakye who was proving a handful with her electrifying pace and it came as no surprise when she netted the only goal. Ghana won a free-kick deep inside the Banyana area and Boakye spotted Thoko Ndaweni off her line, slotting a long-range effort into the back of the net.
Banyana replied immediately with Smeda first firing a long-range shot and then watching her point-blank header saved by Nana Asantewaa.
The Ghanaian goalkeeper then made several more great saves as South Africans chased what proved to be an elusive equaliser.
Banyana leave for Comoros on Sunday where they will play in the African Women Championships qualifier.
South Africa: Thoko Ndaweni, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine van Wyk, Nomathemba Ntsibande, Simphiwe Dludlu, Amanda Dlamini, Portia Modise, Sanah Molo, Refiloe Jane, Leandra Smeda, Mamello Makhabane
Ghana: Nana Asantewaa, Hillia Kobblah, Faiza Ibrahim, Janet Egyir, Juliet Acheampong, Samira Suleman, Cynthia Adobea, Leticia Zikpi, Mercy Myles, Rosemary Ampem, Portia Boakye