Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has said Nigeria’s stability remains a major security priority for Ghana, noting that developments in Africa’s most populous nation have direct consequences for the wider West African region.

Speaking at the African Heritage Awards 2026 in Accra, an event focused on celebrating African excellence and unity, Mahama stressed the deep historical and socio-economic ties between Ghana and Nigeria, describing both nations as closely linked in culture, migration, and regional cooperation.

According to him, Nigeria’s large population and influence in the region make its internal stability critical not just for its own citizens, but for neighbouring countries that depend on regional balance and economic movement.

He noted that any instability in Nigeria could trigger significant migration flows within West Africa, potentially placing pressure on smaller countries like Ghana.

“Ghana and Nigeria are twins of the same mother, except when we fight over Jollof rice and football. Otherwise, you know we are the same people,” Mahama said, highlighting the cultural similarities between both nations.

He added: “Nigeria is of key security interest to us. When you have cousins like 250 million of them, you want them to do well so that 1 million of them don’t come drifting towards a small country like Ghana.

That’s why every day I wake up, I pray for Nigeria, I say God help them get their act together.” The Ghanaian President further emphasized that many Ghanaians share ancestral links with Nigeria, particularly from Yoruba heritage, reinforcing long-standing historical connections between both countries.

Mahama’s remarks have been widely viewed as a reminder of the interconnected nature of West African states under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where economic challenges, migration patterns, and security concerns are closely tied across borders.

He also called for stronger governance and economic reforms across Africa to ensure sustainable development and long-term regional stability.