President John Mahama of Ghana has firmly condemned xenophobia, assuring that his administration remains committed to safeguarding Nigerians and their businesses within the country.
Reiterating Ghana’s adherence to the protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly the free movement of persons and goods, President Mahama emphasized that Nigeria and Ghana share a long-standing history of cooperation and brotherhood.
He made these remarks during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra.
According to a statement issued by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister, President Mahama urged President Bola Tinubu not to be unduly concerned by recent protests involving Nigerian nationals in Ghana. He clarified that the tensions were largely sparked by the recirculation of an outdated video—originally recorded by a Nigerian resident in Ghana over a decade ago—but that the situation had been promptly and effectively de-escalated.
President Mahama assured the Nigerian envoy of the safety and protection of all Nigerians in Ghana, including their lives, properties, and commercial interests.
In her remarks, Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded the Nigerian delegation. She explained that the primary objective of the visit was to ease tensions following the viral circulation of the aforementioned video, which had raised concerns back home in Nigeria about the safety of its citizens in Ghana.
The minister also highlighted plans to establish a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, which she said would serve as a platform for addressing bilateral issues, including youth engagement and migration—particularly in light of the region’s high youth unemployment rates.
“We continue to encourage Nigerian youth to thrive at home. However, when migration becomes necessary, we expect them to serve as responsible ambassadors of our country,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She also mentioned that she would be meeting with members of the Nigerian community in Ghana to remind them of the importance of respecting local laws and regulations.
Following the meeting, the minister took to her X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing the engagement as productive. She reiterated President Mahama’s dedication to peaceful coexistence and his assurance that the lives and assets of all residents—citizens and non-citizens alike—would be protected.
The minister was accompanied by top officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Director of African Affairs, Regina Ocheni; Director in the Office of the Minister of State, Innocent Iwejuo; and Special Assistant (Administration), Ajuluchukwu Eze.
