Protest In Ghana: FG Moves To Protect Nigerians

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has reacted to protest in Ghana aimed at forcing Nigerians out of the country.

Some Ghanaians had embarked on street protest, carrying placard, demanding that Nigerians, who they accused of some vices, must leave their country.

Ghanaian government is yet to react to the protest.

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in a statement on Tuesday, condemned branding Nigerians in Ghana as criminals.

The statement, signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations of NIDCOM reads “The attention of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has been drawn to a disturbing video on social media showing a protest by some Ghanaians calling on the authority to send Nigerians back to Nigeria alleging that their behaviours and attitudes were not in conformity with the norms of Ghana.

“In a statement, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said the blanket outrage against Nigerians living in Ghana and branding them as criminals should be condemned by all.

” Nigerians are not criminals. They are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves while those bad ones should be fished out to face necessary sanctions”

“Ghana and Nigeria are like siamese twins. They are brothers and in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration should continue to live in peace like brothers.”

The NIDCOM Boss appealed for calm and urged Nigerians living in Ghana not to be provoked or go into violence with anyone as the issue is being handled at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs , Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu

She advised anyone using inciteful words, on both sides, to desist henceforth as such statements are capable of escalating the matter.

Dabiri-Erewa also advised Nigerians to disregard the videos circulating that Nigerians’ shops and properties are being destroyed by Ghanaians.

“There is no evidence to that and we must at all cost try to prevent any reprisal attacks.”

She praised Ghanaian and Nigeria High Commissioners for their efforts to control the situation, adding that the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, has also been in touch with Ghanaian authorities and had taken some pro- active measures .