In the face of rising panic triggered by a misleading viral video, Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has given firm reassurance: “There will be no mass deportation of Nigerians from Ghana.”
President Mahama gave this assurance during a high-level meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, following widespread concern among Nigerians living in Ghana. At the heart of the issue was an old video clip, recently misrepresented on social media, that sparked rumours of xenophobic backlash.
“We Are Brothers and Sisters”
With clarity and calm, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to the ECOWAS protocol on free movement and residency. “We are siblings of the same parents—our destinies are tied,” he said. “We must never repeat the painful history of mass deportations.”
He acknowledged that, like in any country, some foreign nationals may run afoul of the law—but made it clear that Ghana’s justice system would treat each case on its own merit. “Any wrongdoer will face the law, but we will never punish an entire group for the actions of a few.”
Social Media Misinformation Sparked Panic
The fears arose after a 2013 video resurfaced online, showing an Igbo traditional leader talking about acquiring land in Ghana for a supposed kingdom. Many mistook it for a recent incident, leading to intense anxiety and speculation that Ghanaians were preparing to force Nigerians out.
In Nigeria, the video ignited emergency debates in the National Assembly. Some traditional rulers reportedly urged their communities to bring relatives home from Ghana—fuelled by what turned out to be a baseless misunderstanding.
Ghana Remains Calm—And United
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who travelled to Ghana amid the tension, said she was moved by the peaceful atmosphere she witnessed on arrival. “What I saw in Accra defies the panic we’ve seen online. President Mahama’s leadership has brought calm to a situation that could have easily spiralled,” she noted.
Both nations agreed to continue strengthening ties, not only to manage this issue, but also to prevent similar flare-ups in future. The leaders pledged open dialogue and deeper cooperation across trade, security, and cultural exchange.
In the end, Mahama’s words rang with clarity and hope: “This is not a Ghana-Nigeria issue. This is a family matter—and we solve family matters together.”
