By Abiola Olawale
Tensions flared in Ghana’s capital as large number of Ghanaians reportedly took to the streets at the Obra Spot in Accra, calling for the immediate expulsion of Nigerians from Ghana.
The protest, dubbed “Nigerians Must Go,” has consequently sparked widespread debate, reigniting historical tensions between the two West African nations and raising concerns about regional unity.
Protesters, draped in Ghanaian flags and donning red attire symbolizing resistance, had marched through Accra, wielding placards with messages like “End Kidnapping,” “End Prostitution,” “End Armed Robbery,” and “Our Kids Are Missing….”
They accused Nigerian nationals of fueling insecurity, crime, and moral decay in Ghana.
One emotional protester, speaking in a viral video, declared, “Nigerians must go because you cannot be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow.”
Another, riding a motorcycle, lamented what he called the reported death of a Ghanaian official in a robbery incident in Abuja, Nigeria, questioning, “Why, Nigerians?”
The New Diplomat recalls that a similar occurrence popularly christened “Ghana must go” happened in 1983 when the Nigerian government under President Shehu Shagari enacted a policy initiative ordering about two million undocumented immigrants, many of whom were Ghanaians, to leave the shores of Nigeria.
This action gave birth to a popular checked bag called “Ghana must go” into which the Ghanaians reportedly parked their belongings during their departure from Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ghanaian government has not made any official comment on the situation.
