Diplomacy: Nigerians In Ghana Send SOS To FG, Senator Sues For Peace

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Nigerians resident in Ghana have cried out to the federal government that they are no longer safe in the President Nana Akufo-Addo led West African nation.

The save our soul, SOS message came on the crest of the demolition of  part of the Nigerian High Commission in the West African country by yet-to-be identified persons.

Nigerians have faced series of attacks on their businesses from Ghanaians in the last few years.

Last year, over 600 shops belonging to foreigners, especially Nigerians, were forcefully sealed off at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).

Angry Ghanaians have been calling on Nigerians resident in their country to leave  because of the fear that foreigners, particularly Nigerians are in control of most businesses.

But President Akufo-Addo has assured that those behind the atrocity will be fished out and punished minutes after the federal government registered its anger with the Ghana authority over the issue.

In spite of this, hundreds of Nigerians living in the country said their safety could no longer be guaranteed, Sahara Reporters has reported.

Quoting some Nigerians from their various social media platforms, the online medium reported that Nigerians are tired of living in the country and are willing to return back to Nigeria.

One social media user was quoted to have said “If this can be done to our presidency, how much more, we ordinary citizens. That means we are not safe.”

Another also said in anger “Nigerians lives matter in Ghana. We are human beings. We are in our lane. Our lives are in danger.”

Another Nigerian, identified as @AjammaS said on his twitter handle, “This is very shameful, to imagine common Ghana to demolish Nigerian High Commission (building) in Accra without a harsh response from @MBuhari. I weep for Nigeria and Nigerians.

It can never happen during Abacha or OBJ (era).”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyema has sent a strong warning to the Ghanaian authority that the federal government will not accept attacks on her foreign mission.

Onyema who spoke on Sunday described the demolition of the Nigerian High Commission residential quarters in Accra, Ghana by unknown persons as ‘outrageous’ and ‘criminal’.

The minister called on the government of Ghana to fish out the culprit for punishment.

Onyema said the federal government is in talks with their counterpart in Ghana with a view to resolve the matter.

According to him “We strongly condemn two outrageous criminal attacks in Accra, Ghana, on a residential building in our diplomatic premises by unknown persons in which a bulldozer was used to demolish the building.

We are engaging the Ghanaian Government and demand urgent action to find the perpetrators and provide adequate protection for Nigerians and their property in Ghana.”

Meanwhile, Senator Shehu Sani, a rights activist has urged the two countries to maintain their friendly relations as neighbours, even as he condemned the demolition of part of Nigeria’s Mission by some hoodlums.

“It’s a serious breach of diplomatic and security protocol. The relations between the two countries should remain cordial and the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book,” Sani said on twitter.