Former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Joe Keshi, claimed that some Nigerians living in Ghana tend to disregard the laws of their host community; a norm he said fueled the recent “Nigeria Must Go” protests in Accra.
Reacting to recent tension between Nigerians living in Ghana and their host community, Keshi hinted that some Nigerians violate Ghana’s investment laws and flaunt their wealth in public, stressing that such conduct can aggravate local resentment, especially when local traders feel displaced.
“You have displaced Ghanaians running businesses on the streets, and yet you flaunt your wealth. If you are in Rome, you should behave like a Roman. Nigerians need to learn to conduct themselves appropriately wherever they are because you can’t go to the United States and behave like this, ” Keshi stated. Nigerian Airways plane models
He appealed to Nigerian leaders and diaspora associations to educate citizens on responsible conduct, warning that economic displacement often leads to hostility.
Keshi also charged Ghanaians to avoid overreacting, emphasising that the cultural and historical ties between the two nations should promote unity rather than tension.
Recall that tensions began to escalate in late July when hundreds of traders organised demonstrations in Accra and Kumasi, holding placards that read “Nigeria Must Go.” The protest organisers accused some Nigerian traders of dominating the retail market, violating Ghana’s investment laws, and engaging in illegal activities such as fraud and unlicensed street vending.
The protest reignited long-standing sensitivities between the two West African neighbours, prompting President Bola Tinubu’s administration to step in and resolve the rift, but there are warnings that the behaviour of some Nigerians abroad could further exacerbate local resentment.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) had been advocating for stricter enforcement of laws that restrict foreign participation in certain segments of the retail market. Many of the protesters argued that their livelihoods were being threatened by Nigerian traders, who often have more capital and well-established cross-border supply networks. Nigerian Airways plane models
Social media added fuel to the fire, with viral but unverified claims about ritual killings, prostitution rings, and aggressive land acquisitions involving Nigerian nationals. These narratives heightened public anger and evoked historical grievances.
The Guardian
