Accra: Civil society group Arise Ghana has called on the Government of Ghana to refuse any renewal of mining leases involving South Africa's Gold Fields and to immediately repatriate South African nationals domiciled in Ghana. They claimed that the moves are necessary to 'enable Ghana fix herself' in the wake of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Richard Kasu-Adzadu, the Secretary of the organisation, expressed deep concern and outrage over recurring xenophobic attacks against African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa. 'The violent incidents in South Africa undermine African unity and violate fundamental human rights enshrined by the African Union,' he stated.
He explained that many traders, workers, students, and residents in South Africa continue to live under fear and uncertainty due to repeated assaults, intimidation, destruction of businesses, displacement, and targeted harassment of foreign nationals, especially Ghanaians. The group condemned the incidents, describing them as a culture of impunity in South Africa that has persisted over the years despite diplomatic engagements and public assurances by South African authorities.
'We commended the Government of Ghana, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, for efforts that led to the safe return of 300 Ghanaians and for the reintegration support package provided to returnees,' Mr. Kasu-Adzadu added.
He noted that the persistent attacks signify an apparent failure of adequate preventive and accountability measures. The organisation demanded decisive legal and diplomatic action, including pursuing redress through African Union mechanisms such as the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. Arise Ghana argued that the continuous targeting of African migrants violates the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and undermines regional integration protocols, insisting that victims deserve justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence from offending states.
The group further urged the government to take an economic stance by rejecting any renewal of mining leases involving Gold Fields until the company of South African interests demonstrates responsible corporate citizenship and respect for Ghanaian national interests. They argued that granting strategic economic privileges 'at a time when Ghanaian citizens are facing hostility and violence in South Africa' would be unacceptable without a broader assessment of reciprocal respect, accountability, and mutual benefit between the two nations.
In place of foreign concessions, the organisation recommended granting strategic mining concessions to indigenous Ghanaian firms, such as Engineers and Planners, to ensure that mineral proceeds remain in Ghana to support local economic development. They also called for the immediate repatriation of South African nationals domiciled in the country 'for business or any other purpose' to enable comprehensive national renewal and the implementation of domestic reforms with urgent attention.
Arise Ghana stated that its demands are rooted in the broader conviction that Africa's future cannot be built on division, violence, and hostility against fellow Africans, warning that such actions would weaken regional cooperation and damage economic integration. The group invoked the pan-African vision of Ghana's founding fathers, including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, urging the Ghana Government to remain firm and courageous in defending its citizens and seeking continental solidarity against xenophobic attacks.
The organisation called on other civil society organisations and political stakeholders to support its demands and push for strong diplomatic measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and representatives of Gold Fields were yet to respond to the statement at the time of publication. Meanwhile, some 300 Ghanaians who suffered xenophobic attacks have been evacuated by the Ghana government through the Foreign Ministry from South Africa, while others have registered to be evacuated in the subsequent days.