A section of the Ghanaian populace has called on the country’s security agencies to rein in organisers of the “Nigeria Must Go” protests, warning that such actions threaten Ghana’s hard-won reputation as a peaceful and hospitable nation.

According to concerned citizens, the recent wave of anti-Nigerian demonstrations has created unnecessary tension among other foreign nationals residing in Ghana, a situation that could have dire implications for the country’s economy and diplomatic relations.

They warned that such unrest tends to discourage other foreign investors from coming to Ghana, undermining efforts by President John Dramani Mahama, who has been travelling abroad to attract investment and strengthen economic ties.

They emphasised that Nigerians have contributed significantly to Ghana’s economic growth over the years and cannot be written off as irrelevant to the nation’s development. From retail and wholesale trade to manufacturing, transport, hospitality, and services, many Nigerian-owned businesses have created thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Ghanaians.

“These protests are not only lawless but also short-sighted. Many Ghanaians earn their livelihoods directly from Nigerian businesses.

We cannot allow reckless agitation to destroy the peaceful coexistence between our two countries,” one of the citizens noted.

They urged law enforcement authorities to take firm action against any individuals or groups who may jeopardise the peace, unity, and long-standing economic cooperation between Ghana and Nigeria.

They also challenged Ghanaian youth to look beyond narrow personal interests and focus on building sustainable ventures that can provide long-term employment.

According to them, there are countless opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between Ghanaian and Nigerian entrepreneurs.

“Ghana and Nigeria are not just neighbours; we are brothers. Our youth must channel their energy into innovation, entrepreneurship, and demanding the enforcement of policies that support small businesses instead of being misled by selfish leaders,” they noted.

They further highlighted the challenges confronting Ghanaian youth, including the high cost of accommodation, exploitative rent practices, and limited access to resources to start small businesses.

They stressed that these issues deserve more attention than misplaced anger toward Nigerian.

They alleged that some leaders spearheading the anti-Nigerian campaigns are motivated by selfish interests and are exploiting the frustrations of unemployed youth for their own political or financial gain.

In addition, they pointed out that while many Nigerian traders in Ghana are known for offering fair prices for goods and services, some Ghanaian traders have been accused of overpricing their items, making life more difficult for ordinary citizens.

This, they argued, has been one of the underlying factors fuelling resentment and the so-called “Nigeria Must Go” protests.

Instead of targeting Nigerians, the concerned citizens urged protesters to strategise on how to partner with each other, create businesses, and hold the government accountable for job creation and economic reforms.

“The youth must not lose hope. They should refuse to be used as pawns in anyone’s political game. Their fight should be about survival, empowerment, and building a better future for themselves and Ghana as a whole.”