Accra, Ghana –
By Charles Kweme
A wave of protests has erupted in Ghana, with citizens vehemently demonstrating against Nigerians for alleged involvement in widespread prostitution and ritual killings.
A viral video from Tuesday shows a large group of protesters carrying placards with various inscriptions, including:
“Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,Our health at stake due to mass prostitution”, Who protects the right and freedom of Ghanaians?, Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals, Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos”
Protesters also displayed a picture of a man allegedly killed by a Nigerian in the Accra area. In the video, a woman in her mid-30s passionately demanded the departure of Nigerians, stating, “Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow. Nigerians must go!”
Another protester voiced concerns about Nigerians, particularly those of Igbo ethnicity, allegedly taking over major markets and engaging in various illicit activities. “These Igbo, they are in every part of the country and have targeted our markets. Not just Igbo, Nigerians are in almost every village, and our laws have not allowed foreigners to engage in real dealings. They are perpetrating evil in our country. They even have an Igbo king in Ghana. They have hijacked our lands. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country,” he asserted.
This current situation echoes the historic “Ghana Must Go” event of 1983, when the Nigerian government, under then-President Shehu Shagari, ordered the expulsion of approximately two million undocumented immigrants, many of whom were Ghanaians. President Shagari had stated, “If they don’t leave, they should be arrested, tried and sent back to their homes. Illegal immigrants, under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever. If you break a law, then you have to pay for it.” This directive led to the popularization of the “Ghana Must Go” checked bag, which became a symbol of exclusion.
As of the time of this report, the Ghanaian government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the protests or the demands for action against Nigerians.