Ghana — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged calm amid growing calls by some Ghanaians for the deportation of Nigerians residing in the country.… The post Nigeria Urges Calm After Ghana Protest Over Deportation Calls appeared first on Radarr Africa.
Ghana — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged calm amid growing calls by some Ghanaians for the deportation of Nigerians residing in the country.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who visited Accra on Wednesday, addressed the media during a joint press briefing alongside her Ghanaian counterpart, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Ablakwa. The Nigerian diplomat said her visit was prompted by several viral videos showing protests by Ghanaian traders calling for the removal of Nigerian nationals from the country.
“Since arriving in Ghana, I haven’t witnessed widespread unrest. I haven’t seen people burning tyres or marching in the streets with placards calling for Nigerians to leave,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
“This shows that the Ghanaian government is actively managing the situation. There’s no cause for panic. I commend the leadership for the steps taken so far.”
She disclosed that consultations had already commenced with various stakeholders, including community leaders and some of the individuals involved in the protest. The meetings, she said, were aimed at understanding the root of the tensions and finding peaceful ways to address the grievances raised.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence, stating that Nigeria and Ghana share historical and economic ties that should not be jeopardised by isolated incidents.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, assured the public that the government would guarantee the safety of all residents — citizens and non-citizens alike.
“We are engaging all relevant parties, including leaders of the Nigerian community in Ghana,” he said.
“The government will ensure the safety and protection of everyone, but we also urge all residents to be law-abiding and avoid actions that may threaten national unity or disrupt public order.”
Background to the Tensions
The diplomatic engagement follows a protest held last weekend in parts of Accra and Kumasi, where some local traders took to the streets demanding the deportation of Nigerians.
The protesters accused Nigerian nationals of contributing to rising criminal activity, engaging in unfair trade practices, and allegedly disrupting the market environment.
The demonstrators, mostly local market vendors, carried placards with messages urging the government to “take back control” of trading spaces. Some also accused Nigerian business owners of flouting local laws and undermining Ghanaian cultural values.
Though the protest remained largely peaceful, the viral footage of the demonstrations raised concerns in Nigeria, with many Nigerians expressing fears of a potential diplomatic rift or xenophobic attacks.
In response to these developments, the Nigerian government dispatched Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu to engage Ghanaian officials, investigate the situation firsthand, and reassure Nigerians living in Ghana.
Long-Standing Bilateral Ties
Nigeria and Ghana have enjoyed decades of diplomatic and trade relations. Both countries are members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which upholds the free movement of people, goods, and services within the subregion.
However, tensions have occasionally flared over trade regulations and immigration issues, particularly in the retail sector where Ghanaian laws restrict non-citizens from engaging in certain categories of small-scale trading.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has, in the past, clashed with foreign nationals — including Nigerians — over the enforcement of these laws.
Moving Forward
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that her visit was part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral dialogue and prevent misinformation from inflaming tensions.
“Nigerians are peace-loving and contribute meaningfully to the Ghanaian economy. Let’s not allow a few disagreements to erode the strong ties our countries have built over decades,” she appealed.
She also called on the media in both countries to report responsibly and avoid sensationalising events that could lead to diplomatic fallout or spark public unrest.
The two foreign affairs ministers concluded the briefing by reaffirming their commitment to peace, mutual respect, and deeper cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana.
The post Nigeria Urges Calm After Ghana Protest Over Deportation Calls appeared first on Radarr Africa.
