A wave of anti-Nigerian sentiment swept through Ghana’s capital on Saturday as hundreds of Ghanaians gathered at the Obra Spot in Accra, demanding the immediate expulsion of Nigerians from the country over alleged involvement in rising crime and social vices.
Protesters wielded placards with bold messages such as “Nigerians Must Go,” “End Kidnapping,” “Stop Prostitution,” “No to Ritual Killings,” and “Our Children Are Not Safe.” Dressed in red — a symbol of resistance — and waving Ghanaian flags, demonstrators accused Nigerians, particularly members of the Igbo community, of fueling insecurity and moral decay.
One protester, speaking in a viral video, declared, “You can’t come into someone’s country and act lawlessly. Nigerians must go!”
Citing recent incidents, including the robbery-related death of a Ghanaian diplomat in Abuja, the protesters expressed fears over what they called an overwhelming and dangerous presence of Nigerians in Ghana. “You can’t step out at night and return safely. Even our children are not safe,” another protester lamented.
The protest also reignited tensions surrounding the controversial installation of an Igbo traditional leader in Ghana, Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu, earlier this month. His recognition as “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana” (King of the Igbo People in Ghana) sparked backlash from youth groups and traditional leaders, who viewed it as a challenge to Ghanaian sovereignty.
In response to the controversy, the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria abolished the use of the “Eze Ndigbo” title for Igbo leaders in the diaspora. In a communique signed by leading monarchs such as Eze E.C. Okeke and Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the council replaced the title with “Onyendu Ndigbo” — a designation without the royal implications of “Eze.”
The traditional rulers emphasized that the “Eze” title is sacred and tied to specific ancestral rites and communities within Nigeria. They warned that failure to adhere to the new directive would be seen as a serious affront to Igbo tradition and authority.
As tensions escalate, calls for diplomatic intervention grow louder, with observers urging leaders in both Ghana and Nigeria to address the underlying issues through dialogue and mutual respect.
