Ghana Must Go

In 1983 in Nigeria when Shehu Shagari was the President of Nigeria, an executive order was given to immigrants without proper immigration documents to leave the country or they would be arrested according to the law. Most of the immigrants were West Africans and mainly Ghanaians. Over 2 million men, women and children were affected by this news and decision of then President of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari.[1] Incidentally, in 1969 Ghana also expelled Nigerians from its country. In 1969, Ghana enacted the ALIENS COMPLIANCE ORDER, in which hundreds of thousands of immigrants, {mostly Nigerians}, were forcefully expelled from the country.

The major route to Ghana was through the West passing through Benin and Togo.

Over 1 Million Ghanaians were affected by that order. Ghanaians were mostly attracted to Nigeria because of the Oil market of the 70's, but in 1983 when the "Ghana Must Go" revolution started, the economy had weakened and was fast falling apart. It was also the election year during that time.

Once the migrants got to Benin, the way out was restricted. Those who had already made it to Benin were stuck in the port of Cotonou, the capital city of Benin, with hopes of getting a boat to Ghana. The problems they experienced didn't end there, because due to an attempted coup the previous year, Ghana's president Jerry Rawlings had closed the main land crossing with Togo to avoid the sudden arrival of over 1 Million people. Togo then also shut its borders with Benin.

The immigrants were stranded for weeks, thereafter the Ghanaian authority opened their borders causing Togo to also open theirs, for the Ghanaian refugees to have access back home.

The relationship between Nigeria and Ghana has since been strengthened. The migration was then named "Ghana Must Go".[2][3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ M.Solomonov. "Ghana Must Go: Exodus From Nigeria Remembered". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  2. ↑ "Quiet Time: Authors To Add To Your African Reading List - Africa.com". www.africa.com. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  3. ↑ "Ghanaians love to visit these 5 Places in Nigeria | News Ghana". News Ghana. 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
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