Bianca Ojukwu Meets Ghanaian Foreign Minister Over Anti-Nigerian Protests

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has met with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Ablakwa, in Accra, following recent protests targeting Nigerian nationals in Ghana. The meeting, held on Wednesday, came amid rising tensions fueled by public demonstrations in parts of Ghana where protesters accused Nigerians of involvement in criminal activities and called for their deportation. Ambassador Ojukwu arrived in Accra earlier in the week to assess the situation and engage relevant Ghanaian authorities. She first met with Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and also held consultations with leaders of the Nigerian community residing in Ghana. Her engagement with Minister Ablakwa focused on the need to safeguard the rights and welfare of Nigerians and ensure continued diplomatic cooperation between both countries. Speaking after the meeting, Ojukwu expressed confidence in the Ghanaian government’s handling of the situation and dismissed fears of violent attacks or forced deportations. She stated that there had been no verified cases of mob action or property destruction, emphasizing that the protests had not escalated into violence. She added that Ghanaian authorities had reassured her of their commitment to upholding the safety and rights of all residents, including Nigerians. The protests, held primarily in Accra and Kumasi, featured placards with anti-Nigerian messages and claims linking Nigerians—particularly of Igbo origin—to crimes such as ritual killings, kidnapping, and social vices. Ghanaian security officials have since cautioned organizers against inciting xenophobia and breaching public order. Ojukwu urged for mutual understanding and responsible dialogue between both nations, highlighting the importance of ECOWAS principles on free movement and residency within the West African sub-region. The talks also underscored the need for community-level engagement and joint security cooperation to address any legitimate concerns without resorting to harmful generalizations. The Nigerian Senate and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have also condemned the protests. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Senator Aniekan Bassey, described the demonstrations as unacceptable and urged the Ghanaian government to act in the spirit of African unity. NiDCOM, led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, warned against the stereotyping of Nigerians abroad and called for calm and factual reporting. Ojukwu called on Nigerians in Ghana to remain law-abiding and report any threats to the authorities. She reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to protecting its citizens and maintaining strong diplomatic relations with Ghana. Further bilateral engagements are expected in the coming weeks as both countries continue efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen cooperation.