Ernesto Yeboah Urges Restraint as Ghana-South Africa Tensions Escalate Over Xenophobic Attacks

Ernesto Yeboah, the Commander-in-Chief of the Economic Fighters League (EFL), has called on Ghanaians to resist any temptation to retaliate against South African businesses or citizens in the country, amid rising anger over reports of afrophobic violence targeting Ghanaians living in South Africa.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Ghana Connect programme on Friday, May 29, Mr. Yeboah acknowledged the deep frustration felt across the country but urged citizens to channel their emotions through lawful and diplomatic means rather than vigilante action.

“We are not a lawless country,” he said firmly. “Any attacks on South African-owned businesses such as MTN and DStv would damage Ghana’s international reputation and undermine our standing in the global community.”

A Call for Measured Response

Mr. Yeboah’s intervention comes at a particularly sensitive moment in Ghana-South Africa relations. Over recent weeks, reports of xenophobic violence against Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa have triggered an emotional backlash at home, with some voices calling for reciprocal economic measures. The government’s decision to evacuate citizens from South Africa has added further gravity to the situation.

The EFL leader urged the Ghana Police Service to issue a strong public warning and take firm action against anyone who attempts to harass South African businesses or citizens on Ghanaian soil. “The Ghana Police should make it clear that anybody who attempts to attack or harass South African businesses will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said. “Ghana must remain a country governed by law.”

His remarks echoed sentiments expressed by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which recently cautioned against emotional reactions to the xenophobic violence and urged measured diplomatic engagement.

Mining Lease Debate Must Stay Separate

Mr. Yeboah also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the future of Gold Fields’ mining lease in Ghana, rejecting attempts to link any government decision on the matter to the xenophobic incidents in South Africa.

He argued that the EFL’s position on mining predates the current tensions by a decade and has consistently advocated for the nationalisation of Ghana’s mineral resources. “For the past 10 years, our position has been that Ghana’s mining resources should be nationalised,” he stated.

He insisted that any decision regarding Gold Fields should be rooted in Ghana’s long-term national interest rather than driven by emotional reactions to events abroad. “If the government decides not to renew the lease, it should be because it is the right thing to do for Ghana, not because of afrophobia in South Africa,” he said.

Conflating the two issues, he warned, would weaken Ghana’s credibility on the international stage. “Attempting to create a link between the mining lease and incidents in South Africa is an emotional response. It weakens Ghana’s pedigree internationally,” he added.

The Broader Diplomatic Picture

The crisis has tested the diplomatic resolve of both nations. South Africa’s response to Ghana’s concerns has been closely scrutinised, with critics arguing that Pretoria has not done enough to protect foreign nationals. A recent JoyNews Newsfile programme examined the xenophobia evacuation alongside other pressing national issues, reflecting the depth of public concern.

For Ghana, the challenge lies in balancing legitimate anger with the imperatives of diplomatic engagement and economic pragmatism. South African businesses employ thousands of Ghanaians, and a retaliatory spiral would inflict mutual harm far beyond the immediate crisis.

Mr. Yeboah’s message is ultimately one of strategic patience: that Ghana’s strength lies not in mirroring the violence it condemns, but in demonstrating that a civilised nation can respond to provocation with reason, dignity, and the rule of law.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE