A wave of anti-Nigerian sentiment has erupted in Ghana as hundreds of citizens took to the streets protesting what they describe as an influx of criminal activities—ranging from ritual killings to mass prostitution—allegedly committed by Nigerians residing in the country.
In a video that has since gone viral on TikTok and other social platforms, protesters—mostly in the capital city of Accra—were seen marching with placards bearing strong-worded messages such as “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals,” “Mass prostitution is endangering our health,” and “Our kids are going missing because of Igbos.”
One protester, a woman in her 30s, shouted repeatedly, “Nigerians must go. You can’t come to someone’s country and be doing anyhow.”
Another speaker, addressing the crowd, alleged that Nigerians, particularly of Igbo origin, had taken over major Ghanaian markets and were illegally dominating economic activities in contravention of local laws. “They have even installed an Igbo king in Ghana. They’ve hijacked our land, our businesses. It’s a matter of time—we’ll take our country back,” he said.
The tension escalated following the alleged murder of a Ghanaian man by a Nigerian in Accra. Protesters held up his picture as a symbol of their grievances.
While the exact details of the crime remain unconfirmed by Ghanaian authorities, the protest has rekindled painful memories of the 1983 “Ghana Must Go” saga, when the Nigerian government under President Shehu Shagari expelled over two million undocumented immigrants—mostly Ghanaians—citing national security and economic pressure.
That historic deportation gave rise to the infamous red-and-blue checked bags known as “Ghana Must Go” sacks, which have since become symbolic of xenophobia and forced migration in West Africa.
As of press time, Ghanaian authorities have not issued an official response to the protest or addressed whether steps will be taken against Nigerians living in the country.
The Nigerian High Commission in Accra has also yet to release a statement concerning the safety of its citizens or the growing anti-Nigerian rhetoric.
This latest development adds to the already fragile relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, long marked by trade disputes, diplomatic flare-ups, and mutual accusations of cultural dominance.
Experts warn that if the Ghanaian government does not intervene quickly, the situation could escalate into xenophobic attacks similar to those witnessed in South Africa in recent years.
Social media has played a significant role in spreading the footage and fuelling the protests. Several Ghana-based TikTok pages posted the protest clips, triggering both outrage and support from viewers across West Africa. Some Ghanaians on Twitter have called for stricter immigration enforcement, while many Nigerians have condemned the generalizations and ethnic targeting.
With no formal government comment as of Tuesday evening, the atmosphere remains tense. Nigerians living in Ghana—particularly those in informal sectors—have expressed fears for their safety and are reportedly avoiding crowded public areas.
As the calls of “Nigerians must go” grow louder in Ghana’s streets, all eyes are now on Accra’s leadership to either de-escalate the crisis or risk deepening a diplomatic rift that could destabilize community relations and bilateral trade between the two West African giants.