A high-level Nigerian delegation has dismissed fears of mass deportation and rising hostilities between Ghanaians and Nigerians, following recent tensions over controversial comments made by the honorary chief of the Igbo diaspora community in Ghana.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Ojukwu, arrived in Accra this week on the orders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address diplomatic concerns and engage with Ghanaian authorities.
The visit comes after viral claims suggested the Igbo chief intended to establish an “Igbo Kingdom” in Ghana, comments that sparked public outrage and led to social media uproar, street protests, and calls for the deportation of Nigerians from Ghana.
However, following a series of high-level meetings, including a closed-door engagement, both Ghana and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to peace, mutual respect, and historical solidarity.
“The message, in short, would be that there is no cause for alarm. The situation is being handled quite effectively.”
VOICE OF: Bianca Ojukwu
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, called for calm and urged citizens to look beyond past grievances.
“We are conscious of that history, which should guide all of us, that if these things are not managed well, it could take us back to certain dark occurrences in our history,” he said.
“That is why we have been demonstrating a lot of maturity and asking that we douse the flames, we show compassion, we should remember that we are one people.”
He added that both countries had agreed to deepen “community-to-community engagement” to foster better understanding among their citizens, noting Ghana’s long-standing role in advancing the Pan-African vision of unity.
Reiterating this message, Minister Bianca Ojukwu praised Ghanaian authorities for swiftly managing the situation and stressed that Nigerians living in Ghana face no threat.
“I came and I saw with my own two eyes that no tires were burning on the streets and people with placards everywhere urging Nigerians to be deported,” she said.
“President Mahama and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are like brothers. Of course, Nigerians were in a very festive mood during the inauguration ceremony of President Mahama.
“Our president was here and for the occasion, and he gave a very, very impassioned speech, which speaks to the special bond that exists between these two gentlemen, and by extension, the bonds that exist between Ghanaians and Nigerians.”
She added that continued stakeholder engagement would be prioritised to ensure such tensions do not resurface and to reinforce the strong diplomatic and cultural relations between the two West African nations.
Minister Bianca Ojukwu added that an estimated 500,000 Ghanaians are living in Nigeria and reaffirmed that their safety and welfare remain a top priority.
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