Xenophobic Attack: IMANI boss opposes Gold Fields lease renewal

IMANI Africa founder Franklin Cudjoe has reacted to circulating videos from South Africa which he describes as disturbing, calling for calm and restraint in response.

In a social media post, Cudjoe said the videos he had seen were “too horrible to share,” and cautioned against any form of retaliation against South Africans living in Ghana.

“No one in Ghana should attack any South African—no insults, no physical harm,” he stated, urging Ghanaians to maintain peace and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

However, Cudjoe also made a direct appeal to President John Mahama, urging him not to renew the mining lease of South African-owned Gold Fields, linking his position to what he described as “murderous crimes” allegedly committed against Ghanaians and other Africans in South Africa. He did not provide specific details or evidence of the incidents referenced.

“Please do not renew the mining lease for the South African company… this is the least we can demand for now,” he added.

The lease is expected to expire in April 2027.

Meanwhile, policy analyst and Natural Resource Governance expert Dr. Steve Manteaw also weighed in on Gold Fields, focusing on the company’s operational conduct rather than the broader geopolitical concerns raised.

According to him, Gold Fields has demonstrated “systemic inertia” and a slow response to emerging issues, adding that the company has yet to publicly condemn alleged attacks on Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa.

He argued that such silence raises concerns about corporate responsibility and engagement on human rights issues affecting migrant communities.

The comments come amid renewed public debate over mining leases and foreign ownership in Ghana’s extractive sector, as well as broader discussions about the safety and treatment of African migrants in South Africa.