Ghanaian President John Mahama has given assurance that Nigerians living in Ghana are safe, emphasizing that there is no room for xenophobia in the country.
Mahama also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols, particularly those that ensure the free movement of people and goods throughout the region.
According to a statement released on Friday by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Ghanaian President provided this assurance on Thursday, July 31.
The statement was made during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Accra with President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy, which was led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
“Tell President Tinubu not to lose sleep over the recent protests. Nigeria and Ghana are brothers with a shared history, and we will not allow anything to come between us,” the statement titled, “Mahama to Tinubu: No room for xenophobia in Ghana,” quoted Mahama 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.
The Ghanaian president promised to protect the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in Ghana.
“The recirculation of an old video made by a Nigerian residing in Ghana over 10 years ago actually generated tension, but gladly, the situation was swiftly managed.
“The protesters were not more than 50. I assure the envoy of the safety and protection of the lives, properties and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians in Ghana,” he stated.
Earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the visit was to douse tension following the circulation of the video that triggered concerns back in Nigeria.
“Every Nigerian back home is apprehensive about the safety of Nigerian nationals in Ghana. We are here to reaffirm the safety of our citizens and to seek ways to strengthen bilateral ties,” she said.
The minister also disclosed plans to facilitate the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, which she said would help address youth migration driven by high unemployment rates.
She added that she would be meeting with the Nigerian community in Ghana to encourage them to obey local laws and conduct themselves as good ambassadors of their country.
Persecondnews recalls that tension has been high in Ghana over the past two weeks due to an old video from 2013 featuring Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu, leader of the Igbo People in Ghana.
In the video, he allegedly claimed to have purchased land to build an “Igbo village” in Ghana.
This move sparked widespread protests across parts of Ghana, particularly in Accra and the Eastern Region, with protesters arguing that the presence of a foreign monarch undermines Ghana’s sovereignty and traditional chieftaincy institutions.
However, Eze Ihenetu has since denied the plan, stating that his role is purely cultural and aimed at uniting the Igbo community.
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