Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has intensified pressure on South African companies operating in Ghana, arguing that firms earning substantial profits from African markets have failed to respond adequately to recent attacks on African migrants in South Africa.
In a social media post reflecting on his campaign against the renewal of Gold Fields’ mining lease in Ghana, Bentil said conversations with business leaders and stakeholders had reinforced concerns about the social obligations of South African corporations operating across the continent.
While acknowledging the economic importance of South African investment in Ghana, including its role in tax revenue generation and employment, Bentil said the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa had exposed what he described as a disconnect between corporations and the communities that support their profitability.
“I have received many calls arguing both sides,” Bentil wrote. “There’s overwhelming support not to renew the lease, but there were some very serious people who also alerted me to the real cost to Ghana and other nations if we stop doing business with them.”
Bentil said companies such as MTN, Gold Fields, Stanbic Bank, and other South African-owned businesses have generated significant returns from African markets over several decades and should have taken a more active role in supporting foreign nationals affected by the violence.
“South African companies need to be more sensitive to the citizens of the countries they operate within,” he said. “They have shown an appalling lack of sensitivity and aloofness, which borders on disrespect.”
The comments come amid growing public debate in Ghana over the future of Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mining lease and broader calls for economic reciprocity following reports of attacks against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Bentil has emerged as one of the most vocal advocates of the #DontRenewGoldfieldsLease campaign, arguing that Ghana should use upcoming mining lease negotiations to secure greater benefits for local communities and the national economy.
In his latest remarks, however, he stopped short of advocating a wholesale withdrawal of South African businesses from Ghana, warning that such a move would impose costs on both economies.
“Goldfields is one of the largest taxpayers in Ghana, and SA companies are one of the single largest taxpayer blocs,” he said. “There will be losses on both sides.”
Instead, Bentil called on companies to demonstrate stronger commitments to host countries through increased local ownership, outsourcing opportunities, community investment, and support for affected migrants.
He suggested firms could have established emergency funds to provide security for foreign-owned businesses in South Africa, financed legal action against perpetrators, contributed to repatriation efforts, and publicly condemned the attacks.
“Given the billions of dollars they’ve made from Ghana, spending even $10 million either alone or together with other South African companies will be a drop in the bucket,” he said.
Bentil also proposed that multinational firms deepen local participation in their operations by increasing local procurement, listing larger portions of their shares on domestic stock exchanges, and strengthening ties with host communities.
For Gold Fields specifically, he argued that the miner should consider selling a substantial portion of its gold output to Ghana’s GoldBod initiative to support the local economy while maintaining profitability.
The debate highlights the increasingly complex relationship between African governments seeking foreign investment and rising public demands for greater economic nationalism, local participation, and corporate accountability.
South African companies remain among the largest investors across Africa, with interests spanning telecommunications, banking, mining, retail, energy, and hospitality. Ghana hosts operations including MTN Ghana, Gold Fields, Stanbic Bank, Absa Bank, MultiChoice, and other South African-linked businesses that collectively contribute significantly to employment, tax revenues, and economic activity.
Bentil said future public support for such companies may depend on their ability to demonstrate stronger alignment with local interests.
“Till we see real connection with citizens, we will be unwilling to forgive such dastardly action from nations that seek to do business with us,” he said.
