Ghanaian Streets Boil with Anger as Locals Demand Exit of Nigerians, Spotlight on Igbo Traditional Authority [VIDEO]

 

A sudden eruption of anti-immigrant sentiment rattled parts of Ghana’s capital this weekend, as hundreds of Ghanaians took to the streets in a heated protest demanding the removal of Nigerians from their country. What began as a general outcry over alleged economic dominance by foreign nationals quickly took a sharp turn toward the Igbo community, culminating in public calls for the dethronement of the Igbo king residing in Ghana.

Chants of “Enough is enough, Nigerians must go!” echoed across city blocks as demonstrators, most of them young and visibly agitated, carried placards and national flags. The crowd surged through principal neighborhoods in Accra, drawing attention from residents, law enforcement, and foreign observers alike. The sight was both shocking and disturbing, not only because of the ethnic angle it took but because of the intensity with which protesters rallied against their West African neighbors.

Many of the placards bore messages criticizing the Igbo community’s perceived affluence and influence within Ghana’s commercial sectors. There were strong accusations that Nigerians, especially those from the Igbo ethnic group, were buying up properties, outcompeting local businesses, and establishing parallel socio-cultural structures that undermined traditional Ghanaian values.

Several protest leaders made it clear that their grievances had been simmering for years. According to Kofi Obeng, one of the organizers, this is not just a spontaneous outburst. He claimed it is a reflection of accumulated frustration over what he described as “Nigerian interference in Ghanaian economic and cultural systems.”

“The Igbo king in Ghana is not just a ceremonial figure. He represents an entire foreign authority structure operating on our land. We will not allow our sovereignty to be eroded,” Obeng declared to a cheering crowd.

The figure at the center of the tension is the traditional Igbo monarch known in diaspora circles as the “Eze Ndi Igbo.” Respected by his community and often consulted on cultural and communal issues, the Igbo king in Ghana functions as a symbolic leader among the Nigerian population, particularly the Igbo ethnic group. His palace, a modest structure located in a suburb of Accra, has long served as a cultural hub for Nigerians in Ghana.

Ghana’s government has so far remained largely silent on the matter. Local police were deployed to monitor the protest and prevent violence, though the demonstration remained mostly peaceful. Some protesters, however, veered dangerously close to the Igbo king’s palace, prompting security forces to establish a buffer zone.

Leaders from the Nigerian community have expressed deep concern. Speaking under conditions of anonymity, one Igbo elder stated that these protests are not only divisive but could threaten the long-standing peaceful coexistence between Nigerians and Ghanaians.

“This is not the Ghana we came to love. We have contributed to this country, we’ve lived here peacefully, paid taxes, built businesses, and raised our families,” he said. “Targeting us because of our success is unjust and dangerous.”

Tensions between Nigerian migrants and local populations in Ghana are not new. Over the years, isolated incidents involving Nigerian traders and Ghanaian authorities have triggered diplomatic tensions. The closure of shops owned by Nigerians, accusations of unfair business practices, and media-fueled stereotypes have all played roles in deepening the rift.

Despite these historical tensions, calls for the expulsion of Nigerians are a dramatic escalation. Civil society groups have already begun urging the Ghanaian government to step in and de-escalate the situation before it spirals into violence. Human rights advocates have warned that targeting any ethnic group could set a dangerous precedent in the region.

For now, the Igbo king has not issued any public statement. His court remains guarded, and several community events scheduled for the coming week have been canceled out of caution.

As the sun set over Accra, the echoes of the protests still lingered, leaving behind a cloud of uncertainty. Ghanaians and Nigerians alike now watch anxiously, hoping for dialogue and understanding before matters take a darker turn.

The unfolding tension serves as a stark reminder that even within seemingly united regional communities, underlying issues of nationalism, migration, and economic competition can easily ignite into full-blown unrest if left unaddressed.