History

Nigerians living in Ghana have described the “Nigerians Must Go” protest that broke out in parts of the country on Tuesday, July 29, as an attempt to provoke a diplomatic crisis between the two African nations. They have also accused the Ghanaians behind the protest of long-standing discrimination, economic sabotage, and deep-seated resentment against Nigerians.Dozens of Ghanaians took to the streets in a protest tagged “Nigerians Must Go,” demanding the expulsion of Nigerians over allegations of rising crime, including prostitution, ritual killings, and economic dominance. Videos of the protest circulating on social media showed protesters in red t-shirts and Ghanaian flags with placards reading, “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos,” and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.” A woman in one video was heard shouting, “Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be behaving anyhow. Nigerians must go.” Another protester said, “They even have an Igbo king in Ghana. They have hijacked our lands. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country.” Members of the Nigerian community, however, lamented that they have been subjected to persistent discrimination and victimization, particularly by Ghanaian landlords. They cited instances of exorbitant house rents imposed specifically on Nigerian tenants and the selective enforcement of business regulations that disproportionately affect Nigerian-owned enterprises. A Protest Rooted in Resentment, Not a Response to a King Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a businessman, Patrick Isaac, described the protest as an attempt by some Ghanaians, who are unhappy with the success of Nigerian traders, to provoke them into attacking Ghanaians, which would, in turn, cause a diplomatic crisis. Isaac stated, “This has been going on for long. We knew the protest was going to happen, and we were prepared for them. There was a meeting of Igbo traders in Ghana, and we were told not to react to their provocation during the protest because their plan was to provoke us into attacking them, thereby leading to a serious diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and Ghana.” He insisted that the protest was not a response to the actions or words of a self-proclaimed Igbo leader in Ghana, Chukwudi Ihenetu. Instead, he said it was a reflection of growing hostility toward Nigerians, especially those involved in small businesses and informal trade. He added, “Most Nigerians here are victims of certain prejudices. When you go to rent an apartment or office space, you are already presumed to have too much money just because you are Nigerian, even when you are just someone trying to survive. When a Ghanaian pays 1,000 Cedis for rent, you may be asked to pay five times more, and if you can’t, you are chased away.” Economic Pressure and Government Negligence A Nigerian trader, who requested anonymity, described the protest as a calculated attempt to force Nigerian traders out of business and limit their growing influence in the local market. He cited the proposed Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) $1m levy as part of a scheme by the country to frustrate foreigners, particularly Nigerian retail traders, out of business. The GIPC mandates every foreign investor in Ghana to provide either $1m in cash or raw materials to be legally recognized to do business in the country. The trader said, “Each time they (Ghanaians) see any Nigerian trader thriving, they try to pull them down. It started in 2017 when they tried to enact a law that no foreigner should engage in retail trading.” He also alleged that the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana had failed to take decisive action to protect the interests of its citizens, remaining largely silent in the face of increasing harassment, discriminatory policies, and targeted crackdowns on Nigerian businesses. Housing Discrimination and Fear of Attacks A fashion designer from Imo State, Emmanuel Chubike, also bemoaned the discrimination faced by Nigerians in the housing sector. He said Nigerian tenants are increasingly being targeted by Ghanaian landlords due to growing tensions. “Before you get an apartment here, you will go through hell because some Nigerians who are into criminal activities have given the country a bad name,” Chubike said. “I have received reports from many of my friends saying that their landlords have issued quit notices and asked them to vacate once their rents expire. My own landlord has also increased my rent by 50 percent, and it is clear this is because of the perceived hatred going on between Nigerians and Ghanaians.” Following the “Nigerians Must Go” protest, members of the Nigerian community have called on the Ghanaian government to provide adequate protection amid fears of potential violence. A member of the Igbo community in Ghana, Elder Joseph Njom, said the annual yam festival, popularly known as Iriji, had been suspended due to the tension in the country. Presidential Assurance and Diplomatic Efforts In a statement on Friday, Ghana’s President John Mahama assured Nigeria of the safety of its nationals residing in Ghana, stating that there is no place for xenophobia in the country. He also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the ECOWAS protocols, especially those concerning the free movement of people and goods within the region. A statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze, said the Ghanaian President gave the assurance while receiving President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra. “Tell President Tinubu not to lose sleep over the recent protests. Nigeria and Ghana are brothers with a shared history, and we won’t allow anything to come between us,” Mahama was quoted as saying. He attributed the tension to the recirculation of a video recorded over a decade ago by a Nigerian residing in Ghana, saying the incident was promptly managed. Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during her meeting with Ghanaian officials, reiterated the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, cautioning against the spread of inciting content that could