President John Mahama of Ghana has declared that xenophobia has no place in the country, assuring the Nigerian government that citizens and their businesses remain safe and protected under his administration.
Speaking during a visit by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to the Presidential Palace in Accra, Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocols, particularly the free movement of people and goods across West Africa.
In a statement signed by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the minister, Mahama urged President Bola Tinubu not to be alarmed by recent protests targeting Nigerians in Ghana. He explained that the tension had been fueled by the circulation of an old video made by a Nigerian over a decade ago, and confirmed that the situation had since been brought under control.
Mahama highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Ghana and Nigeria and pledged to safeguard the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians residing in his country.
During the visit, Odumegwu-Ojukwu thanked Mahama for the warm reception given to the Nigerian delegation. She emphasized that their mission was to calm tensions stirred by the viral video and to reinforce Nigeria’s concern for the safety of its nationals in Ghana.
She revealed plans to establish a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission aimed at addressing migration and youth-related challenges, especially in light of the large population of unemployed youth under 45 years.
“We are encouraging our youth to stay in Nigeria, and if it is necessary to migrate, they are to be great ambassadors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, adding that she would meet with the Nigerian community in Ghana to promote adherence to local laws.
In a follow-up post on her X handle, she described the meeting as fruitful and noted President Mahama’s strong stance on peaceful coexistence and protection of all residents in Ghana.
The minister was accompanied by senior officials including Regina Ocheni, Director of the Africa Affairs Department; Innocent Iwejuo, Director in the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; and Ajuluchukwu Eze, her Special Assistant on Administration.
What You Should Know
President John Mahama has firmly addressed concerns over rising xenophobic sentiment in Ghana, assuring that the safety and prosperity of Nigerians are priorities for his administration.
His stance reinforces the mutual respect between Nigeria and Ghana, and highlights the broader ECOWAS vision of regional unity and mobility.
