Former Tema East Member of Parliament (MP), Titus Glover, has warned that he will lead a demonstration if government proceeds to renew the mining licence of Gold Fields, amid growing public debate over xenophobic attacks in South Africa and Ghana’s economic interests abroad.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Glover argued that Ghana must take a firmer stance in protecting its citizens and prioritising local ownership of key industries, especially in the extractive sector.
He insisted that attempts to involve diplomatic mediation at the highest level would not change his position.
“I have seen that the CEO of Tarkwa Gold Fields has declared that they will resist any attempt to refuse their license renewal but that will not work. They have told Ramaphosa to engage President Mahama, but I want to tell them that it will not work,” he said.
The former Greater Accra Regional Minister argued that long-term foreign involvement has already run its course, and Ghana should now take greater control, announcing his readiness to physically protest if the licence is renewed.
“Mining for 30 years is enough; they have gotten everything they wanted. If President Mahama renews the license, we will go on a demonstration. We must give it to Ghanaians. I will come to the Jubilee House with my signboard, one-man show, so the President should not renew it,” he declared.
He referenced Ghana and other African countries’ historical support for South Africa during its struggle against apartheid, arguing that current treatment of Africans in some instances contradicts that history.
“They have forgotten that we contributed to their freedom while they were struggling,” he said. “From the time of Nkrumah and Rawlings, we all did our part. We gave them money, a passport and other resources.”
Referencing a video circulating on social media showing an alleged assault on a Zimbabwean shop owner in South Africa, he expressed concern about the safety of African business owners in that country.
He argued that Ghanaian-owned businesses operating legitimately should be protected from any unlawful interference, describing such actions as economic injustice.
“Our people are involved in legitimate business and if you take their business from them illegally, it is expropriation,” he said.
Mr. Glover further claimed that South African authorities were not doing enough to protect foreign nationals, attributing the situation partly to political distractions.
“In this case, the government is not involved. It is the South African citizens and the government is sitting aloof because of election,” he said.
He used the occasion to push for stronger Ghanaian participation in strategic industries, urging deliberate efforts to build local industrial champions capable of managing major national assets.
He cited examples from other African countries, noting that leadership support had helped build strong private-sector players.
“Obasanjo engaged Dangote and made a conscious effort to support his businesses, and it happened. So, raising Ghanaian businesses must be a deliberate attempt; that is why I support the handing over of the Damang Mine to Ibrahim Mahama,” he said.
He added that capable Ghanaian business figures should be given the opportunity to manage large-scale mining operations, including names such as McDan, Despite, and others, if they have the capacity.
“If people like McDan, Despite or any other can manage it, we must give it to them. We must deliberately raise champions in Ghana,” he stated.
Mr. Glover further criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration, accusing them of failing to adequately address xenophobic violence and protect foreign nationals.
“I blame President Ramaphosa and his government for sitting aloof for allowing these miscreants to treat Africans the way they are doing. What is our crime?” he said.
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