Trouble Brewing For Nigerians In Ghana?

Nigerians living in Kasoa, Central Region might be in great danger, if the news making rounds, of threats from angry Ghanaians in the region, is anything to go by. 

Map Source: Google

According to reports, the body of a two-year old boy, identified as Junior, was discovered under a rubble, after he went missing on the 24th of April, 2019. Neighbors said the boy was last seen alive in a black salon vehicle, with a Nigerian registration number. 

Residents reportedly complained that the growing number of Nigerians residing in the Chinese area of Kasoa is alarming, as the rate of crime has multiplied in the area.  It is believed the Nigerians are responsible for these crimes. They blamed some Ghanaian landlords, who rent out apartments to said Nigerians, without carrying out a thorough back-ground check. This, they complained makes it easier for criminals to abscond after committing heinous crimes.

Kasoa residents therefore have threatened to take the law into their hands,by sacking every Nigerian living in the area, should the government fail to relocate their Nigerians neighbors. 

This is worrisome, as some school of thoughts believe such retaliation could birth a xenophobic situation, thereby endangering the lives of innocent Nigerians living in Ghana. 

The Nigerian government needs to liaise with its Ghanaian counterpart on a thorough investigation into these reports, bring culprits to book, see to the restoration of law and order, and do all within its power to encourage  peaceful co-existence. This is because migration is inevitable, it is an effect of Globalisation, the world is seen as a big village, people move around, exchange ideas/resources in a flawless manner. There is a huge movement of people on a daily basis, especially down the west African frontier. People migrate for various reasons ranging from economic, social, cultural and educational purposes. More specifically, inter-cultural marriages, educational studies outside one’s immediate environment, career progression (to obtain work experience overseas), establishing business ventures and other personal reasons are common amongst reasons why people are constantly moving from one region of the world to another. 

The above listed motivations, juxtapose migration challenges such as terrorism and other felonious activities. Worrisome reported cases of migrants' engagement or involvement in crime can be hinged to a lapse in the organization of the key objective of migration. An intending migrant should be given the opportunity to rethink their plan before embarking. Migration should not be an avenue to embark on crime, with the mindset that one can easily get off the hook by fleeing the country, since they are not legal citizens.

I personally believe that the right time for migration should be after these facts have been made bare and people are fully empowered to earn a decent living at home or abroad. 

Obianuju Mbanusi writes