The protest by some Ghanaians against Nigerians living in their country is a disturbing trend that, if not speedily addressed, could undermine decades of African unity and integration efforts. Coming in the wake of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, this protest is a dangerous precedent that must not be ignored by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments.
Beyond the embarrassment ECOWAS has faced in failing to prevent the withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali from pulling out of the regional body, the greater test now lies in how it responds to the ongoing anti-Nigerian protest in Ghana. Should ECOWAS remain silent or appear indecisive, God forbid, then we must brace ourselves for a wave of similar anti-Nigerian protests across the region, and possibly across the continent.
According to the protesters, Nigerians are responsible for different crimes, including armed robbery, violence, prostitution, kidnapping, and ritual killings. They also accuse Nigerians of taking over their markets and engaging in unlawful activities.
“…they are in every part of the country and have targeted our markets… Nigerians are in almost every village, and our laws have not allowed foreigners to engage in real dealings. They are perpetrating evil in our country… They have hijacked our lands. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country,” one of the protesters reportedly said.
From the xenophobic attacks in South Africa to the recent protests in Ghana, a troubling pattern is emerging, one that suggests that some Africans are growing increasingly intolerant of Nigerians. But why this rising hostility?
Long-standing relationship
Historical records indicate that Nigerian migration to Ghana dates as far back as the 15th century. By the 1920s, the Nigerian presence in Ghana had grown significantly. In 1999, over 8,800 Nigerians were reported to be living in Ghana. That number rose to 28,489 in 2000, 44,929 in 2001, and 24,718 in 2002. Today, there are reportedly over a million Nigerians in Ghana, the majority of whom are earning a lawful living and contributing meaningfully to the Ghanaian economy.
Nigeria’s telecommunications giant, Globacom, was licensed to operate in Ghana in 2008 as the country’s sixth mobile service provider. In the education sector, Nigerians make up a large portion of Ghana’s international student population. Records from the University of Ghana show that in 2004 and 2005, Nigerians constituted 56% and 49.6% of the school’s foreign student community, respectively. Given these facts, one wonders what could have sparked the current antagonism toward Nigerians, many of whom are actively helping to grow Ghana’s economy.
Weak comparison
Some observers have tried to draw a parallel between this development and Nigeria’s expulsion of undocumented Ghanaians in 1983, the infamous Ghana Must Go episode. But that comparison is not only weak but patently misleading.
Yes, in the 1980s, Nigeria did forcefully expel undocumented immigrants, mostly Ghanaians. But that was a state-sanctioned action, driven by legal and immigration concerns. In contrast, what we are seeing today in Ghana is the result of mob action with citizens taking the law into their own hands, motivated more by hatred than legality.
The protesters justify their actions by accusing Nigerians of criminality. But is every Nigerian in Ghana a criminal? Do Ghanaians themselves not commit the same crimes? If anyone, regardless of nationality, breaks Ghanaian laws, there are legal avenues for prosecution. Why resort to street protests instead of allowing the justice system to take its course?
It is no secret that economic hardship and a shrinking job market make foreigners easy scapegoats. Many of the unemployed in African countries tend to resent immigrants who are visibly succeeding in business and trade. This frustration may well explain the current agitation in Ghana. But again, is economic frustration a valid reason to promote xenophobia? Certainly not.
It is unfortunate that in modern-day Africa, we are still quick to stereotype entire nationalities based on the misdeeds of a few. That kind of sweeping generalisation is not only wrong but also unjust. To target all Nigerians in Ghana simply because some may have committed crimes is the height of unfairness. What punishment, then, do these protesters suggest for Ghanaians who commit similar crimes?
Sheer envy
What seems to be driving these protests is not just anger, it’s envy. It is resentment fueled by the success of industrious Nigerians thriving in Ghana’s commercial and industrial sectors. This campaign to drive Nigerians out of Ghana is, at its core, a crude attempt to seize what belongs to them. If this were about crime, the protesters would have directed their anger at the appropriate authorities and demanded better policing, and not gone after innocent Nigerians trying to make an honest living.
Let’s call this what it is: an expression of deep-seated jealousy, plain and simple. If the protesters had taken their grievances to police stations or government agencies and demanded more effective crime control, irrespective of whether the culprits were Nigerians or Ghanaians, they would have earned the support of many across the continent. But their true aim seems to be to evict Nigerians and take over their businesses and properties.
This growing hostility toward Nigerians in Ghana is dangerous and must be checked immediately. Nigeria cannot afford to stand by. This is another litmus test for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). If any Nigerian breaks the law abroad, they should face legal consequences. But it is grossly unjust to criminalise citizens of an entire nation residing in your country, especially when those citizens contribute immensely to their host country’s development.
It is also worth reminding the Ghanaian authorities and the protesters that Ghana is a signatory to the 1979 ECOWAS protocol, which guarantees the right of West African citizens to freely move, reside, and establish businesses within member states. This protest, therefore, is not only dangerous but unlawful and in breach of regional agreements like the ECOWAS protocol.
Nigeria’s and Ghana’s relationship is rich and deep, shaped by shared history, culture, and economic interests. It would be tragic to allow a few disaffected individuals to ruin this long-standing partnership.
