Harassment of Nigerians will no longer be tolerated – FG
The federal government has finally stamped its resolve not to tolerate further harassment of Nigerians in neighbouring West African country, Ghana.
Recall that two weeks ago, Ghanaian authorities embarked on a merciless clamp-down against Nigerian traders which saw the closure of Nigerian owned businesses in the country.
In an earlier development, part of Nigeria’s mission was taken apart by Ghanaian authorities in Accra, the country’s capital.
In a reactionary statement on Friday, Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said over one million Ghanaians are living in Nigeria and are not being harassed.
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“The federal government has been documenting the acts of hostility towards Nigeria and Nigerians by the Ghanaian authorities. These include; seizure of the Nigerian Mission’s property located at No. 10, Barnes Road, Accra, which the Nigerian Government has used as diplomatic premises for almost 50 years,” he said.
“Demolition of the Nigerian Mission’s property located at No. 19/21 Julius Nyerere Street, East Ridge, Accra, another serious breach of the Vienna Convention.
“Aggressive and incessant deportation of Nigerians from Ghana. Between Jan. 2018 and Feb. 2019, 825 Nigerians were deported from Ghana.
“The federal government will like to put on record the fact that even though over 1 million Ghanaians are resident in Nigeria, they are not being subjected to the kind of hostility being meted out to Nigerians in Ghana.
“Also, Even though the main reason given for the seizure of Federal Government property at No. 10, Barnes Road in Accra is the non-renewal of lease after expiration, the Ghanaian authorities did not give Nigeria the right of first refusal or the notice to renew the lease.
“By contrast, the lease on some of the properties occupied by the Ghanaian Mission in Nigeria has long expired, yet such properties have not been seized. Nigeria has time after time demonstrated its fidelity to the long cordial relations with Ghana. But indications, especially in recent times, are that Nigeria’s stance is now being taken for granted and its citizens being made targets of harassment and objects of ridicule. This will no longer be tolerated under any guise.”
The minister enjoined Nigerians in Ghana currently enduring this harrowing experience to continue to remain law-abiding and avoid resorting to self-help.
