President John Mahama of Ghana has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Nigerians and their businesses in the country, declaring that “there is no place for xenophobia in Ghana.”
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra, Mahama restated Ghana’s adherence to the principles of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), especially the protocols on the free movement of persons and goods.
According to a statement released on Friday by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media in the Office of the Minister, President Mahama called for calm amid recent tensions.
He urged President Bola Tinubu not to be alarmed by the protests against Nigerian nationals in Ghana, explaining that the situation had been misrepresented due to a resurfaced video.
“The recirculation of an old video made by a Nigerian residing in Ghana over 10 years ago generated tension,” Mahama said, assuring that “the situation was swiftly managed.”
He further emphasized that “Nigeria and Ghana have a shared history” and reiterated his administration’s resolve to protect the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in the country.
Earlier, Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to the Nigerian delegation since their arrival. She stated that the purpose of the visit was to ease rising concerns over a viral video that had sparked unrest.
“Every Nigerian back home was worried about the situation and concerned about the safety of Nigerian nationals in Ghana, their properties, and businesses,” she said.
She disclosed that the delegation also sought to advance discussions on the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, which she said would help address broader issues such as youth migration.
“We are encouraging our youth to stay in Nigeria, and if it is necessary to migrate, they are to be great ambassadors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu added.
Ojukwu shares more visit details with Mahama
She also informed President Mahama that part of her mission was to meet with members of the Nigerian community in Ghana to remind them to respect the laws of their host country.
Following the meeting, she shared on her official X handle that the engagement was a productive one.
“The Ghanaian President is committed to promoting peaceful coexistence as had hitherto been the situation between Ghanaian citizens and the Nigerian community and to ensure that both citizens and non-citizens, including their properties and assets, are safe and secure,” she wrote.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu was accompanied by a team that included Regina Ocheni, Director of the Africa Affairs Department; Innocent Iwejuo, Director in the Office of the Minister of State; and Ajuluchukwu Eze, her Special Assistant on Administration.
