Abike Dabiri-,Erewa , the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, has asked Ghanaian authorities to protect Nigerians following xenophobic attacks in Kumasi .
Naijaparry learned that the presidential aide made the demand on Thursday while speaking at a meeting with the Consular-General of the Ghanaian high commissioner in Nigeria.
Some Nigerians were attacked at their shops following trade tensions between Ghanaians and foreigners in the Suame spare parts business center in Kumasi.
“We need your assurances from Nigerian traders particularly in Ghana of their protection. We are here to appeal to you to protect Nigerians in Ghana, especially the traders, and to ensure that such an incident will not happen anymore,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
What police are doing
The police in Ghana have gone after two persons mentioned in connection with the crime.
“So far, two names have been mentioned to the Police as the mastermind of the attacks and efforts are underway to get them arrested. Other persons who have also been captured on video destroying properties belonging to Nigerian Traders and burning car tyres will duly be identified and arrested,” a police statement read.
Based on that, Dabiri-Erewa commended the Ghanaian government.
She further said that Nigerians had contributed greatly to the growth and development of Ghana’s economy.
“We have a lot of investments in Ghana in education, banking, real estate and all that, that is helping the Ghanaian economy,” Dabiri-Erewa added.
“So we are here to complain about what happened yesterday and to ensure that it doesn’t happen again so that Nigerians living legally in Ghana will be protected.”
Ghanaian representative speaks
On his part, the Consular-General, James Nyasembi, said the Ghanaian authorities will ensure that the rights of all Nigerians living in Ghana is protected.
He said, “The President of Ghana has directed the Inspector General of Police, the Minister for National Security and all the security agencies to be on top of the issue.
“As we speak now, the shops have been reopened. The Nigerians who are operating their shops in Kumasi have been assured of their security, they have been asked to go back to their duties without fear of being molested or harassed by any person in the region.
“Some Ghanaians who have been involved in this act have been arrested and they have been placed before the court because it is a matter that the President of Ghana will not allow to happen to dampen the spate of excellent relations that exist between Ghana and Nigeria.”
In a related development
The University of Education Winneba (UEW) in Ghana has sacked a visiting Nigerian Professor Austin Nwagbara.
Nwagbara’s sacking followed the emergence of a video showing him lambasting the Ghanaian government for allegedly treating Nigerians with disdain.
“You cannot be here and suffering. Let the leaders get our media guys to come here and cover what has been happening,” the varsity teacher had said.
He had been reportedly arrested and interrogated by Ghana Police Service.
The university described Nwagbara’s comments as disturbing and threat to peace.
“In the said video, Prof. Nwagbara makes several unsavoury, unethical and damning comments about our country, its history as well as its educational system. The University totally dissociates itself from the grossly irresponsible comments and condemns it in no uncertain terms,” it said in a statement posted on its website.
