Tension brewed this week in Ghana as groups of citizens staged protests calling for the deportation of Nigerians living in the country.
Viral videos showed demonstrators carrying placards with inciting messages like “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos”, and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.”
Others read: “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” and “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop.”
One visually impaired protester stood out, crying into a camera: “President Mahama, fulfil your Ghana First pledge!”
The unrest was reportedly triggered by controversial remarks made by a Nigerian community leader in Ghana.
FG Moves to Calm Tensions
On Tuesday evening, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, landed in Accra.
She was sent by President Bola Tinubu on a diplomatic mission to address the situation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said her visit aimed to safeguard “the life, property and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians living in Ghana.”
She added that her engagements would include meetings with Ghana’s President, foreign minister, traditional rulers and Nigerians living in Ghana.
Just minutes after landing at Kotoka International Airport, she briefly met Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, as he was en route to London.
Her consultations continued into Wednesday with top Ghanaian officials and members of the Nigerian community.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu is expected back in Abuja today.
Leaders Reaffirm Brotherhood
The visit seemed to ease tensions. Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that both governments were aligned in toning down the crisis.
“Today I held constructive discussions with the Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,” he said in a statement.
“It is heartwarming and reassuring to know that the Nigerian government does not endorse any part of those condemnable pronouncements by the gentleman.”
He said both countries had “reaffirmed our cordial and inseparable historical relations with a firm commitment at ensuring that this recent blip is not allowed to mar our great relations.”
Ablakwa also quoted Odumegwu-Ojukwu as saying: “President Tinubu’s government will continue to guarantee the safety of Ghanaians living in Nigeria.”
The Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs described the protest as “deeply disturbing and contrary to the spirit of African brotherhood.”
They urged both countries to “keep the flame of brotherhood alive.”
The committee praised Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu and NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa for their “timely and diplomatic handling” of the situation.
It also commended the High Commissions of both countries for working together to de-escalate tensions.
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