By James Amoh Junior
Accra, July 31, GNA – Ghana and Nigeria have reaffirmed their historic ties and mutual commitment to peace following a diplomatic engagement in Accra.
It aimed at de-escalating the seeming tensions stirred by a viral video that sparked outrage and concern across both nations.
A Nigerian national, regarded by some within Ghana’s Nigerian community as a tribal leader, suggested plans to allegedly establish an “Igbo Kingdom” in Ghana.
He later formally apologised to the government and people of Ghana, describing the comments as outdated and regrettable.
He explained that the video was taken from a 2013 interview and no longer reflected his views or intentions.
On Wednesday, July 17, 2025, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that he had summoned Mr Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, the man featured in the video, for a meeting following public concerns over the footage, which resurfaced on social media.
The high-level meeting, therefore, brought together Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Madam Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu to discuss the implications of the viral incident, reaffirm mutual commitment to peace and cooperation, and explore ways to prevent the escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
The Nigerian Foreign Minister led a delegation to Ghana on a special peace mission sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.
The diplomatic effort was prompted by the widely circulated video.
The video, condemned by both governments, incited strong reactions on social media, triggering threats to the longstanding friendship between the two West African states.
Addressing the media in Accra, Madam Odumegwu-Ojukwu said her team was in Ghana on a fact-finding mission to understand the real situation on the ground and to affirm Nigeria’s commitment to bilateral harmony.
“Contrary to the viral narrative, we were pleased to observe calm and peaceful coexistence between our nationals and their Ghanaian hosts. There were no visible protests, no hostility, just the warm Ghanaian hospitality we’ve always known,” she stated.
She expressed deep appreciation to President John Dramami Mahama, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry, and traditional institutions for swiftly containing the situation and ensuring that no harm came to Nigerian nationals in the country.
“Social media, when misused, can be a dangerous tool. The rhetoric in such videos can quickly inflame nations, particularly among youth who may not grasp the far-reaching implications of their reactions,” she warned, urging for responsible use of digital platforms.
According to Madam Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s National Assembly, traditional authorities, and civil society had all expressed concern over the viral incident, and the mission to Ghana served to reassure both governments and their citizens of continued cooperation.
She described Ghana as a “strong pivot” in Nigeria’s regional engagement, noting that both nations remained key architects of ECOWAS and AfCFTA.
“We are committed to cooperating across all spheres of development. We will not allow the actions of a few to disrupt this relationship,” she affirmed.
Mr. Ablakwa, on his part, condemned the contents of the video and disclosed that the individual behind it had been identified, reprimanded, and had publicly apologized to the President and people of Ghana.
“He has shown remorse. He has met with officials and issued a public apology, making it clear that such behaviour does not reflect the views of Nigerians either at home or abroad,” Ablakwa said.
He emphasized that while Ghana was committed to protecting the rights of all residents, it would also not tolerate actions that risk public order or unity.
“We must not allow the careless actions of a few to threaten the peace we all enjoy,” he stressed.
Ablakwa recalled historic moments in Ghana-Nigeria relations, including the Aliens Compliance Order and the “Ghana Must Go” saga of the 1980s, emphasizing that both nations had since worked hard to heal and build stronger bridges.
He warned that if not properly managed, incidents like that could take both countries “back to dark chapters in our shared history.”
The Foreign Minister urged the media and public to avoid spreading inflammatory content and instead promote messages that foster peace and understanding.
He lauded President Tinubu for the swift and mature response to the situation, describing the peace mission as a “model of Pan-African diplomacy.”
“We must always remember the broader vision of African unity. Ghana and Nigeria are at the heart of that dream, from the days of Nkrumah to the present African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Let’s not let a moment of online recklessness derail decades of cooperation,” he said.
Both countries pledged to strengthen community-level engagements, improve communication between diaspora groups, and revive bilateral frameworks such as the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation.
With over 500,000 Ghanaians living in Nigeria and thousands of Nigerians residing in Ghana, both ministers acknowledged the risks of xenophobic tensions and reiterated their governments’ resolve to prevent escalation.
“We’ve seen what happens elsewhere when xenophobia goes unchecked. We cannot afford that here,” Ablakwa stated.
“Everyone living in Ghana, Ghanaian or not, will be protected, so long as they respect our laws and values.”
Both governments reaffirmed their readiness to work together not just to manage crises but to expand cooperation in trade, culture, and people-to-people engagement across West Africa.
Madam Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged young people and social media users across the continent to embrace responsible communication, saying “We cannot let misinformation define our destiny. Our future lies in unity, respect, and shared progress.”
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie