Mahama reiterates Ghana’s opposition to Xenophobia, assures Nigerians of safety

Ghanaian President, John Mahama, has reaffirmed his country’s zero-tolerance stance on xenophobia, assuring Nigerians living in Ghana of their safety and protection.

President Mahama made the remarks while receiving a special envoy from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra. The visit was in response to recent protests in Ghana reportedly targeting Nigerian nationals.

According to a statement by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, President Mahama emphasized Ghana’s unwavering commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols, particularly the free movement of persons and goods.

He dismissed the protests as minor and non-representative of Ghanaian sentiments, revealing that the incident was fueled by an old video made by a Nigerian over a decade ago. “The protesters were fewer than 50,” Mahama noted, assuring that the situation was swiftly contained.

“Ghana and Nigeria are brothers with a shared history. We will not allow anything to drive a wedge between us,” the Ghanaian leader declared, urging President Tinubu not to be troubled by the incident.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while thanking Mahama for his hospitality, explained that her mission was to calm fears back in Nigeria and reassure the community in Ghana. “Our people are anxious. They are concerned about their safety and the future of their businesses here,” she said.

She also proposed the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, aimed at tackling migration challenges and creating youth-focused development strategies.

“We want our young people to thrive at home. But if they must migrate, they should be good ambassadors of Nigeria,” she added.

The envoy also mentioned plans to meet with Nigerian residents in Ghana to encourage full compliance with local laws and regulations.