Ghana’s President Mahama Rejects Xenophobia, Vows Protection for Nigerians

Ghanaian President John Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the safety of Nigerians and their businesses in Ghana, declaring that xenophobia has no place in the country.

He emphasized his administration’s dedication to upholding the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols, particularly the free movement of people and goods across the region.

Mahama spoke during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra.

He urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu not to be troubled by recent protests targeting Nigerians in Ghana, attributing the tension to the recirculation of an old video made by a Nigerian resident over a decade ago.

The situation, he noted, was promptly addressed.

The Ghanaian leader stressed the strong historical ties between Nigeria and Ghana, pledging to safeguard the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in his country.

Earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed gratitude for Ghana’s hospitality and clarified that her delegation’s visit aimed to ease tensions following the viral video.

She acknowledged concerns in Nigeria about the safety of its citizens in Ghana and highlighted the mission’s goal of advancing the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission.

The proposed commission, she said, would address youth-related challenges and migration issues driven by unemployment among Nigerians under 45.

She encouraged Nigerian youths to remain in their homeland or be exemplary ambassadors if they choose to migrate.

During her visit, the minister also engaged with the Nigerian community in Ghana, urging compliance with local laws. In a post on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, she described the discussions with President Mahama as productive, noting his commitment to peaceful coexistence and the protection of all residents, including foreigners.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu was accompanied by key officials, including Regina Ocheni, Director of the Africa Affairs Department; Innocent Iwejuo, Director of the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; and Ajuluchukwu Eze, Special Assistant on Administration.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts