Tensions escalated in Ghana on Tuesday as a large crowd of protesters took to the streets, accusing Nigerian nationals—particularly those ...
Tensions escalated in Ghana on Tuesday as a large crowd of protesters took to the streets, accusing Nigerian nationals—particularly those of Igbo descent—of engaging in mass prostitution, ritual killings, kidnapping, and illegal market domination across the country.
In a viral video making rounds on social media, the angry protesters were seen wielding placards with inscriptions such as: “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals”, “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos”, “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop”, “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution”, and “Who protects the right and freedom of Ghanaians?”
A picture of a man allegedly murdered by a Nigerian in Accra was displayed during the protest as further proof of their grievances. One of the protesters, a woman in her mid-30s, shouted angrily on camera, saying:
“Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow. Nigerians must go.”
Another protester echoed similar sentiments, claiming that Nigerians, especially those from the Igbo tribe, have flooded the country and taken control of major commercial hubs.
“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 even have an Igbo king in Ghana. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country,” he said.
The protesters accused Nigerian immigrants of violating local laws, operating illegally, and damaging the moral and economic fabric of Ghanaian society.
The development has revived memories of the infamous “Ghana Must Go” saga of 1983, when then-Nigerian President Shehu Shagari ordered the expulsion of over two million undocumented immigrants—many of whom were Ghanaians—from Nigeria. The Nigerian government at the time cited illegal residency and criminal activity as justification for the directive.
“If they don’t leave, they should be arrested, tried and sent back to their homes,” Shagari had declared.
“Illegal immigrants, under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever. If you break a law, then you have to pay for it.”
That episode led to the creation of the iconic “Ghana Must Go” bag—used by many Ghanaians to pack their belongings as they were forced to leave.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ghanaian government has not issued any official statement regarding the ongoing protests or the calls for Nigerians to be deported from the country, regardless of their immigration status.
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