ACCRA, GHANA — Tensions flared in parts of Ghana on Tuesday as a group of demonstrators staged protests against Nigerians living in the country, accusing them of fuelling crime, mass prostitution, ritual killings, and economic domination.

In a viral video circulating on social media, scores of Ghanaian protesters mostly in urban districts held placards with inflammatory messages such as:

• “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals”
• “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos”
• “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution”
• “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop”

One image showed the protesters displaying a photograph of a man they claim was recently killed by a Nigerian national in Accra.

“Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow,” a visibly upset woman shouted during the protest.

Another protester went further, alleging economic sabotage by Nigerians in Ghanaian markets:

“These Igbo, they are in every part of the country and have targeted our markets… They even have an Igbo king in Ghana. They have hijacked our lands. It is just a matter of time; we will conquer them and take over our country,” he said.

Historical Parallels and Growing Alarm

The rhetoric echoes the infamous “Ghana Must Go” episode of 1983, when Nigeria expelled over two million undocumented immigrants mostly Ghanaians under President Shehu Shagari’s administration. The phrase became symbolic of mass deportation and xenophobia, with Ghanaian migrants forced to flee with their belongings in cheap plastic woven bags that came to be known by the same name.

The latest protests have revived uncomfortable memories of that episode, only this time the roles appear reversed, with Nigerians now the target of resentment in Ghana.

No Official Comment Yet

As of press time, the Ghanaian government has not issued an official statement addressing the protests or outlining a response to the rising hostility against Nigerian nationals.

The Nigerian High Commission in Accra has also remained silent, even as calls for diplomatic intervention grow louder among observers concerned about potential escalation and violations of international human rights conventions.

Nigerians in Ghana: Tensions, Trade, and Misconceptions

Nigerians especially of Igbo origin form a significant portion of Ghana’s expatriate population, many involved in trade, education, technology, and other small-scale businesses. However, resentment has occasionally surfaced among locals who accuse them of undercutting local traders, ignoring immigration laws, or being involved in criminal activities.

Analysts warn that such blanket accusations risk fuelling xenophobic violence and damaging long-standing bilateral relations between the two West African countries.

“Criminality has no nationality. It’s dangerous to scapegoat entire communities for isolated incidents. This type of rhetoric can easily spiral into hate crimes,” said a regional security analyst who requested anonymity.

Calls for Calm and Dialogue

Civil society groups in both Nigeria and Ghana have urged calm and called on authorities in both countries to engage in meaningful dialogue and clamp down on misinformation.

“Instead of collective blame, let law enforcement isolate and prosecute wrongdoers whether local or foreign. Let’s not allow frustration with governance or economic hardship to turn into ethnic scapegoating,” said a Ghanaian human rights lawyer.

The situation remains tense as many Nigerians in Ghana now fear reprisals or forced eviction, even as political leaders on both sides of the border are under pressure to act swiftly and avoid a diplomatic fallout.