Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has assured Nigeria of the safety and protection of its nationals residing in Ghana, firmly stating that there is no place for xenophobia in the country.
Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the principles of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly those relating to the free movement of persons and goods within the region.
According to a statement issued Friday by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Ghanaian leader gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra.
“Tell President Tinubu not to lose sleep over the recent protests. Nigeria and Ghana are brothers with a shared history, and we won’t allow anything to come between us,” Mahama was quoted as saying in the statement titled “Mahama to Tinubu: No Room for Xenophobia in Ghana.”
He attributed the tension to the resurfacing of a video recorded over a decade ago by a Nigerian residing in Ghana, adding that the situation was promptly and effectively managed.
“The protesters were not more than 50. I assure the envoy of the safety and protection of the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in Ghana,” Mahama stated.
Earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the envoy’s visit was prompted by concerns in Nigeria following the viral circulation of the old video, which triggered fears over the safety of Nigerian citizens in Ghana.
“Every Nigerian back home is apprehensive about the safety of our nationals in Ghana. We are here to reaffirm their security and explore avenues to further strengthen bilateral ties,” she said.
She also disclosed plans to facilitate the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, an initiative aimed at addressing key issues including youth migration, which is often driven by rising unemployment rates across the region.
