A large group of Ghanaians recently held protests against Nigerians, accusing them of involvement in widespread prostitution and ritual killings within Ghana.
In a video that went viral on Tuesday, protesters were seen carrying placards with messages such as: “Stop armed robbery and violent attacks,” “Our health is at risk due to mass prostitution,” “Who protects the rights and freedoms of Ghanaians?” “Nigerians are kidnapping people for rituals,” and “Our children are going missing because of Igbos,” among others.
The demonstrators also displayed a photo of a man reportedly killed by a Nigerian in the Accra area.
In the footage, a woman in her mid-30s expressed frustration, shouting that Nigerians should leave Ghana due to their disruptive behavior.
“Nigerians must go because you cannot be in someone else’s country and cause chaos. Nigerians must leave,” she declared.
Another protester accused Nigerians of dominating local markets and engaging in harmful activities throughout Ghana.
“These Igbo are everywhere, targeting our markets. Nigerians are present in almost every village, yet our laws prohibit foreigners from participating in legitimate business. They are committing crimes and evil acts. There is even an Igbo king here. They have taken over our lands. It’s only a matter of time before we reclaim our country,” he said.
This wave of protests echoes the historic “Ghana Must Go” incident of 1983, when the Nigerian government, led by President Shehu Shagari, ordered approximately two million undocumented immigrants—many of whom were Ghanaians—to leave Nigeria.
“If they do not leave, they should be arrested, prosecuted, and deported,” the President had stated. “Illegal immigrants should not be given any notice. Breaking the law carries consequences.”
The expulsion gave rise to the iconic “Ghana Must Go” bag, symbolizing exclusion and intolerance.
At the time of reporting, the Ghanaian government has not issued an official response regarding the protests or the situation of Nigerians in Ghana.
