Amid rising protests in Ghana against Nigerians living in the country, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has arrived in Accra to handle the situation and protect Nigerian citizens.
The protests, which began on Tuesday, saw crowds holding signs that accused Nigerians of involvement in serious crimes such as robbery, kidnapping, prostitution, and ritual killings.
Some signs also singled out the Igbo ethnic group, sparking fears of ethnic targeting.
A video from the protest showed a blind man appealing to President John Mahama to focus more on Ghanaians under his “Ghana First” initiative.
In response to the growing tension, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Tuesday evening.
Her arrival was aimed at reinforcing diplomatic ties and ensuring that the rights and safety of Nigerians in Ghana are protected.
After a brief meeting with Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who was en route to London, she began further talks with Ghanaian officials and Nigerian community leaders the following day.
The protests have drawn strong reactions from Nigeria.
The Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs described the demonstrations as disturbing and against the spirit of African unity.
The committee urged both countries to uphold their historic friendship and to work closely through the ECOWAS framework to maintain peace and cooperation.
Officials also commended Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their swift response.
Their prompt action is seen as an important step in addressing the issue diplomatically and offering reassurance to Nigerians living abroad.
As talks continue, both nations are expected to seek calm and strengthen communication to prevent further unrest and protect regional stability.