Daniel Otera
When traders in Accra and Kumasi marched through the streets in July carrying placards that read Nigeria Must Go, they were not just protesting foreigners. They were venting frustration over years of unresolved trade disputes, cultural tensions, and failed enforcement of local laws.
At the centre of the row is Ghana’s Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 865, which prohibits foreign nationals from engaging in petty retail trade.
Many Ghanaian traders accuse Nigerians of breaching this law, arguing that they use superior capital, business networks, and informal channels to dominate local markets. Authorities have struggled to enforce the law, allowing the conflict to fester.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Joe Keshi, offered a frank assessment.
“You have displaced Ghanaians running businesses on the streets, and yet you flaunt your wealth. Nigerians need to learn to conduct themselves appropriately wherever they are,” he said. “You can’t go to the United States and behave like this. If you are in Rome, behave like a Roman.”
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) echoed similar sentiments in a statement issued in late July. It accused foreign nationals, especially Nigerians of creating an unfair playing field.
“This isn’t just about nationality,” GUTA stated. “It’s about fairness and the survival of lawful Ghanaian businesses.”
Videos circulating online have intensified the backlash. Footage showing Nigerians displaying luxury lifestyles, from flashy cars to lavish parties, has sparked anger among struggling Ghanaian traders. While some of these clips may not reflect the broader migrant community, they have fuelled xenophobic rhetoric on TikTok, Facebook, and in local marketplaces.
The anti-Nigerian sentiment is not new. In 2019, Ghanaian authorities shut down over 600 Nigerian-owned shops over alleged GIPC Act violations. Although diplomatic negotiations eased the standoff at the time, the underlying issues remain unresolved from business registration hurdles to residence permit delays and local enforcement challenges.
A senior Nigerian official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking anonymously, confirmed that dialogue is ongoing with Ghanaian authorities to prevent further escalation.
Still, history weighs heavily. In 1969, the Ghanaian government under Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia issued the Aliens Compliance Order, which led to the expulsion of over 140,000 undocumented West African migrants, most of them Nigerians. Those forced out were given just two weeks to leave the country.
Nigeria retaliated in 1983, during an economic downturn under President Shehu Shagari, by expelling over two million undocumented migrants including around one million Ghanaians. The expulsion, driven by rising unemployment and political pressure, left many Ghanaians stranded and struggling to return home. A second wave followed in 1985 under General Muhammadu Buhari, when nearly 700,000 migrants were expelled. Again, Ghanaians bore the brunt.
Those expulsions left deep scars that still shape how both countries approach migration and economic rivalry. As Keshi noted, diaspora tensions are now becoming a serious diplomatic risk.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over one million Nigerians currently live in Ghana. Many are engaged in legal businesses, hospitality, education, and low-income service jobs. But isolated incidents including disputes over market space and unverified allegations of criminal activity often taint the larger community.
“The challenge,” said Keshi, “isn’t just about trade. It’s about how we carry ourselves abroad. We need diaspora associations to help educate our people. It’s not just about making money it’s about behaving responsibly and respecting the system.”
Ghanaian trade unions argue that their concerns are not rooted in xenophobia but in law. Still, repeated references to Nigerians in their statements and protests point to a growing nationalism tinged with ethnic undertones.
Keshi urged Ghanaians to temper their anger and see the bigger picture.
“The cultural and historical ties between our countries should promote unity, not hostility,” he said.
