Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, has called for calm amid growing tensions in Ghana following protests by local traders demanding the deportation of Nigerian nationals.
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, Odumegwu-Ojukwu sought to allay fears sparked by viral videos of anti-Nigerian sentiments that circulated on social media over the weekend.
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“Since I arrived, I haven’t seen people burning tyres in the streets or carrying placards everywhere calling for Nigerians to be deported,” she said. “This shows that the Ghanaian government and the president have stepped up to the situation. I would say there’s no cause for alarm — they are handling the situation effectively, and we will continue engaging stakeholders.”
Her visit followed a weekend protest in parts of Accra, where dozens of Ghanaian traders, mostly from the local retail market, accused Nigerian traders of engaging in practices they say contravene Ghanaian values and business laws. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans calling for the deportation of Nigerians, alleging rising insecurity and unfair competition.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who held meetings with community leaders and some individuals involved in the protests, said her mission was to de-escalate tensions and encourage dialogue. “This is a sensitive issue. We are here to listen and to find peaceful ways forward,” she added.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa,, Ghana’s foreign minister, who stood beside her at the briefing, reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting all residents in Ghana, regardless of nationality.
“The Ghanaian government will ensure that everyone in the country — citizens and non-citizens — is protected,” ablakwa said. However, he added that all residents, including foreign nationals, must respect Ghana’s laws. “People need to be law-abiding and avoid criminal activities and actions that could divide us,” he stressed.
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Relations between Ghana and Nigeria — two of West Africa’s largest economies — have faced occasional strain in recent years, particularly around trade and immigration issues. The latest protest appears to have been driven by frustrations over perceived violations of local retail trade regulations and concerns about crime.
Analysts say such flare-ups risk undermining broader regional integration efforts, especially as both countries are members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which promotes free movement and trade.
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Both ministers agreed to continue consultations and engage with relevant stakeholders to ease tensions and promote peaceful coexistence.
For now, while the streets of Accra remain calm, the situation underscores the fragility of diplomatic and people-to-people relations in times of economic stress and social tension — and the need for strong, sustained dialogue.
