A governance expert, Dr. Richard Fiadomor, has described calls for Ghana to refuse the renewal of mining licenses for Goldfields—a major mining company with South African roots—as purely emotional sentimentality.
He stated that despite the xenophobic attacks on foreigners, including Ghanaians, and the subsequent demands for them to return to their home countries, it would be needless for Ghana to replicate such hostility.
Following these attacks and the voluntary evacuation of some Ghanaian citizens, certain individuals have advised the Ghanaian government to deny Goldfields its license renewal, while others have gone as far as calling for a boycott of all South African-owned businesses.
However, commenting on the situation during an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Dr. Fiadomor strongly disagreed with these actions, stressing that some people have allowed emotional sentiments to override logic.
He argued that nations should not act based on raw emotion, noting that if the laws of South Africa bar foreigners from engaging in retail activities, those laws must be respected.
He pointed out that Ghana equally has laws preventing foreigners from trading in its retail markets—laws that Ghanaians have fought for over the years, leading to the locking of foreign-owned shops.
In his view, South Africans are simply enforcing similar protections for their own country.
Dr. Fiadomor emphasised that the situation should be understood in its proper context, noting that South Africans have not barred foreigners from working entirely.
Instead, they are echoing the exact grievances Ghanaians raised when they complained about foreigners, particularly Nigerians, taking over local retail markets.
He reiterated that while emotions have dominated the discussion, there needs to be a better understanding of the South African perspective.
He maintained that gold mining is highly capital-intensive and requires entities with the genuine capacity to manage it.
“If Ghanaians possess that capacity, the mines can be handed over to them, but the country should not make major economic decisions based on emotional sentimentality when South Africa is merely protecting its legal framework.
“If you want to go to South Africa to go and work, you shouldn’t go there and take over the jobs reserved for locals. You can come over there with a unique skill and not one they have in abundance. In Ghana, our GIPC law stipulates that we don’t allow foreigners to do retail. And so if the South Africans have the same laws and are protecting them, we cannot fault them.
What I don’t like in the South African situation is beating and assaulting people. But what they are saying is the truth and we must respect their laws. If you don’t have any unique or specialised skill, stay in your country. So let’s stay away from the emotional sentimentalities and look at what is for the common good of our country,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
