The President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Rashid Ibrahim Esq., has warned that students across the country are prepared to embark on sustained democratic action if the government proceeds with plans to renew Gold Fields’ mining lease in Tarkwa.
In a statement shared on social media, Mr. Ibrahim argued that Ghana’s natural resources should be managed in a manner that prioritises national interests, local participation and long-term economic benefits for citizens.
According to him, Ghana possesses capable local investors and entrepreneurs who can participate effectively in the mining sector if provided with the necessary opportunities, ensuring that a greater share of the benefits remains within the country.
The NUGS President urged government to uphold constitutional principles governing the management of mineral resources, citing Article 257 of the 1992 Constitution, which vests ownership of the nation’s mineral wealth in the state on behalf of the people.
He stated that students do not support the proposed renewal of the mining lease and warned that any decision to proceed could trigger widespread opposition from the student population.
“Today, students across Ghana are sending a clear message: we do not support the renewal of Gold Fields’ mining lease,” he stated.
“Should the government proceed with the renewal, it must be prepared for fierce public opposition. Students across Ghana are ready to mobilise, organise, and embark on sustained democratic action to resist any decision that disregards the voice of the people.”
Mr. Ibrahim stressed that any action undertaken by students would remain peaceful, lawful and within the framework of democratic engagement. However, he insisted that the concerns of young people and students must not be ignored in decisions relating to the country’s natural resources.
He also linked the debate over the mining lease to concerns about the treatment of Africans in South Africa, citing reports of attacks on Ghanaians and other African nationals.
According to him, many Ghanaian students and young people are increasingly troubled by incidents of xenophobic violence and expect stronger responses from institutions and corporations operating across the continent.
Mr. Ibrahim expressed disappointment with what he described as Gold Fields’ silence regarding the reported attacks, arguing that the company had failed to publicly condemn the violence.
“What is even more disappointing is the deafening silence of Gold Fields,” he said.
“Since these attacks escalated, the company has not issued any meaningful statement condemning the violence.”
He maintained that decisions concerning Ghana’s mineral resources must be guided by national interest and should prioritise the welfare and economic advancement of Ghanaian citizens.
“Enough is enough. Ghana’s resources are not for sale to those who remain silent when Africans are being attacked. Ghana’s resources must serve Ghanaians first,” he stated.
The debate over the future of Gold Fields’ mining lease has generated increasing public interest, with stakeholders expressing differing views on the economic, legal and national development implications of the government’s eventual decision.
As discussions continue, student groups appear poised to play a more active role in shaping public discourse on the management of Ghana’s natural resources and the broader question of local participation in the extractive sector.
