HISTORY:Ghana Must Go

 By Victor Olubiye

    

   History should not be used as a weapon of revenge but rather as a means to prevent future mistakes.

   If you grew up in Ghana, Nigeria, or another West African nation, you've probably heard of the "Ghana Must Go" bag, commonly used by travelers for packing their belongings. You might wonder why it’s named "Ghana Must Go" instead of something else. This name stems from historical events that occurred back then.

   In 1983, during President Shehu Shagari's democratic administration, the Nigerian government initiated a mass deportation of illegal immigrants, mainly targeting Ghanaians who moved to Nigeria seeking better opportunities during Nigeria's oil boom, while Ghana faced significant economic struggles. This expulsion, affecting over 2 million people, didn’t happen overnight, and I'll provide more context on what led to it.

   Nigeria and Ghana had a long-standing friendship, but this relationship was strained in the 1980s between Ghanaian President Jerry J. Rawlings and Nigerian President Alhaji Shehu Shagari. This tension arose partly because Shagari had previously supported Rawlings' predecessor, whom Rawlings had overthrown. Rawlings accused Shagari of trying to restore the former president to power, leading to Nigeria halting crude oil shipments to Ghana. As disagreements escalated between their governments, tensions also grew between the citizens of both nations.

   In 1980, allegations surfaced that foreigners in Nigeria were involved in various crimes, causing unrest among Nigerians. Tensions peaked when a Cameroonian, Muhammed Marwa (also known as Maistastine), led a v!olent religious uprising that resulted in many deaths, primarily among Nigerians. Maistastine, like many of his followers, was an illegal immigrant, and this uprising became one of the most tragic events in Nigeria's history after the civil war.

   Prior to the "Ghana Must Go" incident, there was already animosity due to the Aliens Compliance Order in 1969, which led to the deportation of Nigerians from Ghana during an economic downturn. The tipping point for Nigerians came after a robbery at the home of then Vice President Alex Ekwueme, where it was discovered that many of the th!eves were Ghanaians. This infur!ated Nigerians, prompting the government to take decisive action.

   On January 17, 1983, Nigeria's Minister of Internal Affairs, Alhaji Alli Baba, announced that all illegal immigrants must leave the country within two weeks. The President stated, "If they don’t leave, they should be arrested, tried, and sent back home. Illegal immigrants should not be given any notice; breaking the law means facing the consequences."

   This declaration caused panic among illegal foreigners, and many began fleeing Nigeria without their belongings. Those who could managed to pack some items in the large bags that would later be known as "Ghana Must Go Bags."

   The deportation drew widespread criticism internationally, with the U.S. government calling it a shocking violation of human rights. However, Nigeria stood firm on its decision. Some commentators suggested that Shagari's regime used the deportations to distract Nigerians from corruption within his government, especially with elections approaching.

   As Ghanaians fled in droves, many gathered at the Seme border, hoping to cross into Benin Republic to return home. However, the ideal route through Togo was closed due to a previous coup attempt in Ghana. Eventually, Rawlings reopened the Ghana-Togo border, and Togo followed suit, allowing Ghanaians to return home. Upon their arrival, the Ghanaian government pledged to support the returnees in getting back on their feet.

   Today, Nigeria and Ghana enjoy a strong friendship, having moved past their historical differences to become close allies in Africa.