By Ebi Kesiena
The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured its citizens living in Ghana that their safety is not under threat, following recent social media videos showing isolated protests calling for their deportation.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday after Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and other top officials during a diplomatic visit to Accra, the country’s capital.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who visited Ghana as a special envoy of President Bola Tinubu, said the purpose of her mission was to convey the concerns of the Nigerian government and people over the videos that had sparked anxiety back home.
During the engaging session, President Mahama assured Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu of his government’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence between Ghanaian citizens and the Nigerian community. He emphasized the importance of all residents adhering to the laws of the country and avoiding inflammatory rhetoric that could create tensions.
The Ghanaian President reiterated his government’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of both citizens and non-citizens, including their properties and assets. He also highlighted the shared history and strategic partnership between Nigeria and Ghana within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Mahama also called on all residents in Ghana to abide by the laws of the land and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric capable of inciting unrest. He emphasized the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Ghana as pillars of ECOWAS and stressed that both nations must continue to work together to strengthen regional integration and stability.
Earlier, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated that the situation on the ground was calm and under control, with no evidence of violent protests or attacks on Nigerians. She commended Ghana’s swift intervention and reassured Nigerians that their lives and property are not under threat.
“We are pleased to note that things are rather calm here. There is no evidence of violent protests or attacks on Nigerians. The Ghanaian government, under President John Dramani Mahama, has handled the matter effectively,” she said.
The Minister also stressed the importance of discouraging inflammatory rhetoric, noting that the Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission would be strengthened to foster citizen-to-citizen relations and prevent a repeat of past diplomatic frictions, such as the 1983 “Ghana Must Go” saga.
She also called for the activation of the Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission to deepen bilateral relations and de-escalate tensions at the grassroots level.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, had confirmed ongoing engagements with Nigerian community leaders, adding that his government was committed to ensuring the rights and safety of all lawful residents.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu was accompanied on the visit by key officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
