Accra: Following recent attacks on Ghanaians in South Africa, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, has urged the Government of Ghana to take over Gold Fields' Tarkwa mine after the expiration of its mining lease.
According to Ghana Web, Adjei alleged in a post on X that xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians were being orchestrated by the South African government and fronted by 'freedom fighters,' including Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and others. He expressed his belief that these actions are part of a coordinated campaign, insisting that the Government of Ghana should take control of Gold Fields, a South African company operating within the country.
Gold Fields, which currently operates the Tarkwa mine, is one of Ghana's largest gold producers. The company's lease is set to expire in 2027, and it has applied for a 20-year renewal. However, Adjei insists that Ghana should not automatically grant the extension, arguing that the country must assert greater control over its natural resources in response to what he described as the hostile treatment of its citizens abroad.
The NEIP CEO's comments come at a time when Ghana has begun repatriating its nationals from South Africa following violent attacks. The first group of returnees arrived in Accra on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The evacuees received a support package that included financial assistance, transport, and psychosocial services to help them resettle. They will also be enrolled in a special government database designed to connect them with employment and business opportunities in Ghana.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the measures are intended to support affected citizens and help them rebuild their lives upon their return.