Raphael Kanu
Hundreds of Ghanaians took to the streets in protest on Tuesday, demanding the expulsion of Nigerians from the country over allegations of ritual killings, prostitution, and criminal activities.
In a viral video shared widely on social media, demonstrators were seen brandishing placards with inscriptions such as: “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.”
Some protesters accused Nigerians of dominating local markets and flouting Ghanaian laws. “They even have an Igbo king in Ghana,” one protester said, decrying what he called the takeover of Ghanaian villages and commercial spaces.
One protester, a woman believed to be in her mid-30s, said: “Nigerians must go. You can’t come to someone’s country and be doing anyhow.”
The agitation recalls historical tensions between the two West African nations, notably Nigeria’s 1983 expulsion of undocumented immigrants under President Shehu Shagari — a move that saw over two million people, mostly Ghanaians, deported. The event popularised the term “Ghana Must Go,” symbolised by the iconic checked bags used by fleeing migrants.
As of the time of reporting, Ghanaian authorities have not officially commented on the protest or announced any policy response regarding Nigerians residing in the country.
The protest comes amid rising xenophobic sentiments, with civil society groups urging both governments to promote dialogue and prevent a resurgence of regional hostilities.