You must have heard those big bag around us known as Ghana must go in west Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana.The US called it Chinatown Tote and Germany calls it Tuekenkoffer but in Nigeria we call it Ghana must go. A real life incident that happened in Nigeria on 1983 that made that big bag we carry about to be named Ghana Must Go.

In 1983, President Sheu Shagari ordered a mass deportation of illegal immigrants in the country due to crimes most of them wast committing in the country. More than of half of those deported were Ghanaian who had come to Nigeria in search for better living during the oil boom in 1970 and also escape the economic and political hardship in Ghana.

Nigeria and Ghana were good allies until it was threatened by Ghanaian Head of state Flight Lieutenant Jerry J. Rawlings who overthrew a Ghana former president Hilla Limann, this reduced the Nigeria-Ghana relationship to the point that Rawling accused the Fed. Govt. that they were in alliance with Hila Limann to overthrew his Goverment, and in response Nigeria stopped the shipping of crude oil on a loan deal to Ghana.

This fight did not stop there, it continued within there citizen. The aliens in Nigeria were seriously threatening the peace of the country and Nigerians were not ready to take that.

A robbery occurred former Nigerian vice president (Alexander Ekwueme) which consisted of a group of armed robbers of mainly expatriates. When the robbers were caught by the police, it was discovered that the two of them were Ghanaians. This set the whole of Nigeria crazy.

Instant action was taken by the Nigerian government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On the 17th of January, 1983, the Nigerian Minister of Internal Affairs, Alhaji Alli Baba, announced the immediate expulsion of all illegal immigrants in Nigeria within two weeks. President Sheu Shagari also added in a statement, “If they don’t leave, they should be arrested and tried, and sent back to their homes. Illegal immigrants under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever. If you break a law, then you have to pay for it.”

Panic gripped all aliens without papers in Nigeria for it was the least expected action of the Nigerian government. Over 1 million Ghanaians were thrown into confusion and indecision. It was rumored that the Federal government gave power to Nigerians to confront any alien after the ultimatum given to leave. This scared the expatriates and sent them fleeing with and without their luggage. Those who could pack their belongings used the biggest of bags available which happened to be the big bag which is now referred to today as Ghana must go.

The act was condemned by many humanitarian organizations across the globe. The US Department of State said the expulsion order was “shocking and a violation of every imaginable human right.” All these did not make the Nigerian government reverse the order. It still bent on expelling all illegal immigrants in the country. Also, there were claims that the corruption riddled government of President Sheu Shagari ordered the deportation to divert attention from its shenanigans because election was near. Truly, the Shagari government had to pull a stunt to divert the attention of Nigerians and win their votes.

Ghanaians trooped out en masse for they knew Nigeria was no longer safe for them. It was indeed a massive exodus that automatically rooted its feet in the history of Nigeria and Ghana. They (Ghanaians) camped at the Seme boarder as they waited to enter Benin Republic where they hoped to find a ship to Ghana. The land route through Togo was much preferable and convenient but the Ghanaian dictator, Jerry J Rawlings had closed the Ghana-Togo border due to an attempted coup in 1981. Togo also closed down its boarder with Benin in order to avoid refugee crises. After sometime, the Ghananian military ruler, Jerry Rawlings opened the Ghana-Togo border and left Togo no choice than to do the same with Benin Republic and allow refugees to flow across like water. It was indeed a great news for the Ghanaian refugees. On getting home, they were welcomed by relatives and friends amidst tears. Jerry Rawlings also visited some of them at Tema harbour and assured them that his government would provide assistance in every possible way.

This is the real bitter story behind every ‘Ghana must go’ bag. However, it should be known that today, Nigeria and Ghana remain best of friends as they let the past behind them. This is evident in the entertainment, sports and politics sectors of the two countries.

And so?

Sad.. judging from the way things are going... dem go soon mk their own naija must go.. cos their currency high pass naija own and also the rate wey naija boys take full dere... turning table's.. ...

oga stop this lies because it was foolish awo that ask them to leave