You Can Prosper Here …Ibrahim Mahama Gifts Xenophobia Victim GH¢200k Lifeline

Business magnate and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama has given a cash amount of GH¢200,000 as a lifeline gift to Emmanuel Asamoah, a Ghanaian victim of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, while urging citizens abroad to return home.

Mr. Mahama opined that “Ghana is not a broke country” but rather a peaceful country where opportunities of prosperity and wealth creation abound for those willing to work with discipline.

 “If there is another people like you, let them all come home, there is so much opportunity here for them. Ghana is not a broke country. It just that we do not know where to put our money,” Ibrahim Mahama stated in a video posted on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 and has gone viral on social media

Mr. Mahama used the opportunity to stress that Ghana’s economic strength is often underestimated and that the real challenge lies in how resources are managed and people apply discipline in business.

He further expressed concern about how some people misuse financial support, explaining that lack of discipline affects success in business.

“They are people who really need just small help. People are just not discipline, I gave someone money, the person was struggling somewhere I met the person, I won’t mention the country, I found out that the person is rather enjoying the money.

The problem that makes me sit away and not give to the public is that most of the public are not discipline. Ghanaians can be good business people but the problem is just the discipline.”

As part of the support package for Emmanuel Asamoah, Mr. Mahama also plans to help him establish a cement distribution and construction hardware depot. The financial assistance will also allow Mr. Asamoah to take a one-month break to reunite with his family before returning to Ghana to begin preparations for his new venture.

The gesture follows earlier assurances by Mr. Ibrahim Mahama to Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he would support Ghanaians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. During a meeting with Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, he also encouraged Ghanaians living in South Africa to consider returning home.

He advised that returnees could either find employment within his company based on their skills or start their own businesses with support. According to him, Ghana offers enough opportunities for hardworking individuals willing to take advantage of them.

He also commended Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa for his efforts in supporting citizens abroad and encouraged Mr. Asamoah to remain focused, disciplined, and determined as he begins a new phase of life.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing over renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Africans legally living and working in the country, continue to face attacks and discrimination.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Anani Quashie, has raised alarm over the situation, revealing that some local authorities are allegedly taking part in actions against foreign-owned businesses.

He explained that in one recent case, a mayor in Estcourt, near Durban, ordered the closure of foreign-owned shops and redistributed them to local residents.

“The mayor in Estcourt has taken keys belonging to Ghanaians and other African migrants who are genuinely and legally working in his area. He has taken the keys, handed over their shops and businesses to locals,” he said.

According to him, about 25 Ghanaian-owned businesses have been affected by the directive.

“A lot of Ghanaians are affected. We have close to about 25 Ghanaians whose businesses have been closed,” he disclosed.

He added that the issue is not limited to Ghana alone, as other African countries are also affected.

He noted that the Nigerian and Angolan diplomatic missions have raised similar complaints after their citizens were impacted by the same operations.

The High Commissioner confirmed that Ghana and other affected countries are preparing legal action to challenge the directive.

“We’ve told them that we’re going to fight this legally. No law in South Africa gives the mayor the right to say whatever he’s saying. We’re going to ensure that the right thing is done,” he stated.

He further explained that diplomatic missions have already submitted statements to legal teams for review and coordinated action.

“No, we are in the process. It’s not only one country that is going. All the countries involved have made statements and given them to the legal department. They have confirmed there is no legal basis for what he is doing,” he said.