Ghana Protests: Nigeria Urges Calm Amid Deportation Threats
- Admin
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 31
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has called for calm following a viral video showing a protest in Ghana, where some demonstrators demanded the deportation of Nigerians. The protestors alleged that certain Nigerians were involved in criminal activities, accusing them of disrupting Ghanaian societal norms.
In response, NIDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa firmly condemned the sweeping generalisation of Nigerians as criminals, calling such rhetoric both “unfair” and “dangerous.”
“Nigerians are not criminals,” Dabiri-Erewa asserted. “They are hardworking, law-abiding people contributing positively to their host countries. The bad eggs, wherever they exist, should be isolated and made to face justice not used to tarnish the image of the entire community.”
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties between Nigeria and Ghana, likening the two nations to “Siamese twins.” She urged citizens of both countries to uphold the values of peace, regional integration, and mutual respect as enshrined in the principles of ECOWAS.
“Ghanaians and Nigerians are brothers,” she said. “We must not allow isolated incidents or misinformation to divide us. Peaceful coexistence is non-negotiable.”
The NIDCOM boss also addressed growing concerns stemming from unverified social media videos suggesting attacks on Nigerian-owned shops and properties in Ghana. She clarified that there is no confirmed evidence of such incidents and warned against spreading inciteful or false information that could provoke reprisal attacks.
“We must not let fake news inflame tensions. All videos alleging destruction of property should be verified before drawing conclusions. Peace must remain our collective priority,” she added.
Dabiri-Erewa praised the efforts of Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissions, as well as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, for proactively engaging with Ghanaian authorities to de-escalate tensions.
She encouraged Nigerians living in Ghana to remain peaceful, urging them not to respond to provocation or engage in violence, as the matter is being handled through diplomatic channels.
Key Takeaways:
NIDCOM condemns generalisation of Nigerians as criminals in Ghana.
Calls for calm, peace, and restraint from both Nigerians and Ghanaians.
Warns against spreading fake videos or inciting hate speech online.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to resolve the situation amicably.
As tensions ease, authorities on both sides continue to work behind the scenes to ensure that the historical bond between Nigeria and Ghana is preserved a bond built on shared values, economic cooperation, and regional stability.
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