A wave of protests has swept through Ghana as citizens demand the departure of Nigerians, citing allegations of mass prostitution and ritual killings. The demonstrations, which drew large crowds, featured protesters wielding placards with inscriptions such as “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop” and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.” A picture of a man allegedly killed by a Nigerian in Accra was also displayed.
The protesters, visibly agitated, expressed frustration over the perceived activities of Nigerians in their country. One lady shouted, “Nigerians must go because of their anyhowness in our country… You can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow.” Another protester accused Nigerians, particularly the Igbo community, of dominating major markets and perpetrating evil acts. “These Igbo, they are in every part of the country… They have hijacked our lands,” he claimed.
The protests drew parallels to a similar incident in 1983, when the Nigerian government under President Shehu Shagari ordered about two million undocumented immigrants, many of whom were Ghanaians, to leave the country. This led to the creation of the “Ghana Must Go” bag, which became a symbol of exclusion and intolerance.
The Ghanaian government has yet to comment on the situation, leaving uncertainty about the plight of their countrymen and the potential return of Nigerians to their country. The protests highlight the complex dynamics of xenophobia and nationalism in the region.
The situation remains tense, with many awaiting the government’s response to the protests and the allegations against Nigerians. The incident raises questions about tolerance, coexistence, and the treatment of foreigners in both countries.
