A former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Demola Onofowokan, has shed light on recent protests in Ghana calling for some Nigerians to leave the country.
In an interview with Arise News, Onofowokan clarified that the protests are not targeting all Nigerians but are mainly aimed at traders in the informal sector, especially those involved in retail and small-scale business activities.
According to him, the situation has been developing for years and is tied to economic pressures and competition in Ghana’s local markets.
“This call is not for Nigerians as a whole,” he said. “It is focused on tertiary traders and individuals seen as not aligning with Ghana’s economic structure.”
The ambassador pointed out that while Nigeria remains Ghana’s biggest trading partner in Africa, tensions in certain sectors have existed for a long time.
He referenced a similar situation in 1969 when Ghana expelled many Nigerians during economic hardship.
Onofowokan also blamed the current administration’s failure to appoint a Nigerian ambassador to Ghana for the lack of diplomatic engagement that could have prevented the issue from escalating.
“If we had a High Commissioner on ground, they would have been able to initiate dialogue and calm tensions through ministerial and high-level contacts,” he said.
He noted that despite the current tension, Nigeria and Ghana share a long history of close ties, including cultural, military, and economic relationships.
Ghana’s economy is currently facing challenges, and Onofowokan believes this has worsened the situation, with some locals blaming Nigerian traders for dominating the market.
