Media Team
Ghanaian President John Mahama has reassured Nigerian residents of their security, stressing that xenophobic attitudes have no place in his country.
He also reiterated Ghana’s dedication to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreements, particularly those ensuring the free movement of people and goods across the region.
A Friday statement by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, noted that Mahama gave this assurance while hosting a special envoy from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The delegation, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met him at the Presidential Palace in Accra on Thursday.
“Assure President Tinubu that there’s no need for concern over the recent demonstrations. Ghana and Nigeria share deep historical bonds, and we will not let anything undermine that,” the statement, titled “Mahama to Tinubu: No room for xenophobia in Ghana,” reported him as saying.
He linked the unrest to the resurfacing of a decade-old video created by a Nigerian living in Ghana, clarifying that authorities had quickly resolved the matter.
The Ghanaian leader pledged to safeguard the lives, properties, and enterprises of Nigerians in his country.
“A dated video, made by a Nigerian resident in Ghana over 10 years ago, was redistributed, sparking tensions, but fortunately, it was addressed without delay.
“The protest involved fewer than 50 individuals. I assure the delegation that Nigerians and their interests in Ghana will remain protected,” he emphasized.
Earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the visit aimed to ease anxieties caused by the viral video, which had raised alarms in Nigeria.
“Nigerians at home are deeply worried about the well-being of their compatriots here. Our mission is to confirm their safety and explore avenues to deepen bilateral cooperation,” she stated.
The minister also revealed intentions to establish a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission to tackle issues like youth migration spurred by job scarcity.
She added that she would engage with the Nigerian community in Ghana, urging them to abide by local regulations and represent their nation positively.
