No Mass Deportations Amid Ghana-Nigeria Tensions, President Mahama Assures

In a significant diplomatic move aimed at defusing rising tensions between Ghana and Nigeria, President John Dramani Mahama has provided firm assurances to Nigerian officials and nationals residing in Ghana that there will be no mass deportations. The reassurance came during a courtesy visit by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and special envoy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid growing concerns fueled by viral social media content and rumours.

Diplomatic Engagement to Address Rising Anxieties

The visit by Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu to the Ghanaian capital, Accra, was prompted by widespread fears among Nigerians living in Ghana and their government over possible mass expulsions. These fears were ignited by a viral video that sparked rumours of impending crackdowns and violent acts against Nigerian traders, including reports of shops being targeted and burned. The intensity of the situation was evident as Nigeria’s National Assembly convened emergency sessions, and traditional leaders urged their relatives in Ghana to return home.

During the high-level discussions, President Mahama sought to calm these anxieties by underscoring the long-standing fraternal relations between the two West African neighbours. “Ghana and Nigeria are siblings of the same parents, and so our destinies are joined together,” he remarked, highlighting the deep socio-cultural and economic ties that bind the two countries.

Historical Context and Regional Cooperation

President Mahama acknowledged the unfortunate history of mass deportations between Ghana and Nigeria, referencing Ghana’s expulsions of Nigerians in the 1960s and Nigeria’s reciprocal actions in the 1980s. He described these events as regrettable chapters best left in the past, emphasizing that the two countries are now united under the umbrella of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), whose protocols guarantee free movement and residence rights for citizens within member states.

“We are members of ECOWAS, and we have the ECOWAS protocol that allows our citizens to travel freely between our countries,” Mahama affirmed. This declaration reassured Nigeria that Ghana respects its regional commitments and will not engage in collective punitive measures against its Nigerian residents.

Addressing Misunderstandings and Isolated Incidents

The President clarified that while Ghana has encountered isolated cases involving foreign nationals engaged in criminal activities, these are dealt with through the rule of law and not through blanket policies or mass deportations. He stressed the importance of individual accountability, assuring the Nigerian delegation that “foreign residents in Ghana who engage in criminal activities shall be held individually liable and sanctioned accordingly.”

One of the core sources of the recent tension was traced back to a resurfaced 2013 video featuring an Igbo traditional leader discussing land acquisition for a kingdom, which some mistakenly perceived as a current development threatening Ghanaian sovereignty. President Mahama dismissed the uproar as “a bit of a storm in a teacup,” explaining that the establishment of traditional councils in Ghana follows strict legal processes governed by Ghanaian law, making any external interference impossible.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu Praises De-escalation Efforts

Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation for President Mahama’s efforts in easing the situation. She noted that initial fears of widespread unrest and violence upon their arrival in Accra proved unfounded due to the calm and responsible management of the issue by Ghanaian authorities. Her visit served not only to convey Nigeria’s concerns but also to strengthen bilateral cooperation and communication channels between the two countries.

The Way Forward: Strengthening Ghana-Nigeria Ties

The recent episode has underscored the importance of proactive diplomatic engagement and clear communication in preventing misunderstandings that can escalate into conflict. Both Ghana and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of mutual respect, regional integration, and adherence to ECOWAS protocols.

Moving forward, there is a shared understanding that while isolated criminal acts must be addressed firmly, they should not be allowed to undermine the broader harmonious relationship between the two nations or the safety and rights of law-abiding residents.

This diplomatic exchange highlights the crucial role of dialogue in maintaining peace and stability in West Africa’s most populous and economically significant countries. As both governments continue to work together, there is optimism that such challenges will be managed constructively, reinforcing a partnership built on shared history, culture, and mutual respect.