“Understand a problem, grasp its full context,
Connect previously unconnected dots and have the vision, courage, resourcefulness and persistence to see the solution through to fruition – Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanoure, Founding partners New Mountain Ventures.
GHANA-NIANS as we are called by Nigerians and South Africans have learnt our lessons very well. For some of us the sunrise had never been so illuminating; the moonlight never so bright and the sunset never so waxing till the day Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Foreign Minister welcoming arrivees home with his mom, after the infamous Afrophobia in South Africa.
Now, the whole world is condemning South Africa for its unwise decision and on GTV on 29th day of May 2026, Ellen Ama Berko, spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Elagbearer, wore the Ghanaian red, yellow, green (with black stars in the middle) and her arguments sounded convincing. And you say Julius Malema the fire brand opposition leader in South Africa is saying what?
And what is his problem if the Ghana government wants to save its 15,000 or so people in South Africa that Ghana government ‘rushed too quickly no, Malema cannot be right. A stitch in time saves nine ‘’the government has played its role, shared its sympathy to Ghanaians in distress so we will not take a lesson from Malema but do what is right in our Ghanaian eyes.
Acting on the wave of this renewed fervour of Ghanaian-ness let us come home. We mean let us think about ourselves inward-looking may sound politically discordant in some ears attributing the phrase to People’s Front Party (PFP) Flagbearer Victor Owusu’s reference to the Ewe people though he later went on his knees to apologise for the unfortunate statement it has remained a political stigma the party and its followers.
But here, and now, Ghanaians (all of us together) are challenged to come together and build our nation, the South African demonstrators were advising us to fix our country. A student telling his mathematics tutor what BODMAS us. Okay we will fix our country.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has set the blaze Goldfields (a South African Company) had been in control of Tarkwa Mines and the 30-year lease is due to expire in 2027 and the company is fighting hard to get an extension of the lease.
A number of Ghanaians have lent their support of granting a 20-year extension, Kenneth Ashigbey argues denying lease renewals without cause creates uncertainty and attract long-term investments in mining infrastructure, exploration and operation; the state captures more than 60% of mining rent through royalties, levies and corporate income taxes; we should prevent politicisation and evaluate the request by objective criteria (not by referencing “xenophobic” attacks); the host community should be made to “feel the benefits” from the company more directly, by allocating say 30% of mineral royalties to the host communities.
The Institute of Economic Affair (IEA) has kicked against any such extension. Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, a fellow of the institute in a press conference would want to see greater Ghanaian participation in the management of the country’s mineral resources with the nation having greater control over strategic assets; she says; “The IEA consider the requested lease renewal or extension…it will be inimical to Ghana’s long term economic and strategic interest and, therefore, calls on the government to soundly reject this approach.
Reject it decisively while prioritizing a framework that secures meaningful Ghanaian ownership of the mine at Tarkwa… “Former Speaker of Parliament, Aaron Mike Oquaye argues that many countries have successfully renegotiated resource contracts in favour of their national interest and added that Ghana is in an even stronger position because the Tarkwa lease is close to expiration.
Mike Oquaye noted; “The question is, should we bring them back to operate that which we know is our life blood? The answer is no, and it must be clearly no.” Prof. Mike Oquaye expatiates Ghana’s difficulties as emanating from decades of poor management of natural resources, and the country must “rethink how it handles its gold, bauxite, manganese, diamond, lithium and oil resources.”
The IEA maintains that empowering indigenous businesses and promoting Ghana’s ownership in strategic sectors will help the country retain more value from its natural resources and reduce dependence on external financial support.”
In an interview with the former Chairman of Parliaments, Energy and Mines Committee, Dr. Kwabena Donkor called for the revival of the State Gold Mining Corporation as an asset holding entity to enable Ghana to retain ownership of major mining assets while outsourcing operations to competent contractors. He noted that the SGMC should function solely as a lease holder and asset manager leaving mining operations to be undertaken by Ghanaians and where necessary, foreign contractors through competitive contracts.
So, now let us get to the basics. What is our history in “partnership”? Sad. When people build partnerships, the Ghanaian membership of that company tends to run the company down. Family, friends, colleagues would hardly follow the regimentation that goes with successful companies. It is known that a once successful cement distributing business venture nearly collapsed because the nephew of the owner was stashing profits into his personal account…
Who says we don’t have the men? Talk of successful businessmen like Dan McKorley, a humble, simple, clearing agent at (then) Kotoka International Airport (K.I.A) establishing even an Airline. The McDan Group of Companies has ventured into logistics, Aviation, agriculture, mining (see the flagship McDan Shipping Company established in 1999 with a target on freight forwarding), the McDan Aviation, the Ada Songor Salt Project, the Agribusiness and construction interested in agro-business, heavy duty transport and real estate construction).
One could also cite Dr. Nick Danso Adjei, the Director- General of the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS). This is a digital trade and customs platform which is managed by the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Link Network Services Limited. There is no doubt that the ICUMS has “contributed significantly to efficiency, cost reduction and the fight against illegal activities at ports and borders ..’’ as expressed by the Trade Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare.
It is noteworthy that the Trade Minister constantly engages stakeholders to share ideas towards improving the system. We also have Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of our president. The exploits of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama is known in Ghana. What we would like to see is the establishment of a conglomerate of these three men (or if anyone – a Ghanaian-) would like to join the team, they should come together with a strategic plan to take over the Goldfields, when the latter gives way.
