EmmyMaestro:
In 1983, an important event happened in West Africa called “Ghana Must Go.” This event was about the mass expulsion of immigrants from Nigeria, especially Ghanaians. In the 1970s, Nigeria had a strong economy because of its booming oil industry. This attracted many people from neighboring countries, including Ghana, who came looking for better jobs and lives.

However, by the early 1980s, Nigeria’s economy started to struggle because oil prices dropped. This led to high unemployment and social problems. Nigerians began to feel frustrated and blamed the immigrants for taking their jobs. In response, the Nigerian government, led by President Shehu Shagari, decided to expel all undocumented immigrants. They gave them just two weeks to leave the country. This sudden decision affected up to two million people, most of whom were Ghanaians.

The term “Ghana Must Go” became famous during this time. It refers to the many Ghanaians who were forced to leave Nigeria quickly. They often carried their belongings in big, checkered plastic bags. These bags became a symbol of this difficult period and are still known today as “Ghana Must Go” bags.

The expulsion had significant effects on both Nigeria and Ghana. In Ghana, the return of so many people made life harder. Ghana was already facing economic problems and political instability, so the sudden influx of returnees added more pressure. Many people struggled to find jobs and homes.

In Nigeria, the expulsion created tension between Nigerians and Ghanaians. It damaged the relationship between the two countries for many years. The event showed how difficult it can be to handle migration and economic challenges in a fair way. It also highlighted the need for better policies to manage such situations without causing harm to people.

budaatum:
The event ruined the Nigerian education system that at the time relied on science and maths teachers from Ghana.

Upon their expulsion many of us lost some very good teachers. It hurt.

EmmyMaestro:
In response, the Nigerian government, led by President Shehu Shagari, decided to expel all undocumented immigrants. They gave them just two weeks to leave the country.

EmmyMaestro:
The event showed how difficult it can be to handle migration and economic challenges in a fair way.

alphaNomega:
Ghana-must-go was a blame-game tactics used by politicians to avoid accountability.

politicians will fan the flames of blame to innocent groups as the cause of their poor decision making. Tell me, after the Ghanaians left, did Nigeria get any better?

the same tactic is still used today, and now the crazy politicians have turned the blame inwards. Blaming one tribe or religious group for their failed policies. History repeats itself and Nigerians never learn.

Konquest:

All of the Ghanaian teachers that taught me were NOT affected by the 1983 expulsions. It's majorly those who came into Nigeria without proper work permits that got expelled. All the other expats from the UK, USA, Jamaica, India, Bangladesh, and several countries who came work and to become teachers and lecturers in Nigeria were NO affected.

budaatum:


Ghanaians began leaving from when Shagari came to power in 1979, and I began losing teachers from then on. What worsened it was free education was introduced in the old Western Region area at the same time, and without proper preparation, the few teachers left had to be shared with newer schools which further exacerbated the teacher shortage.

Nigeria is big, so not everyone must have necessarily had the same experience or at the same time.

Blue3k:



What's wrong with deporting illegal immigrants? What's unfair about deporting them promptly? What's the proper amount of time to deport illegal aliens? Someone need to explain how it should be handled. I do wonder if some of you guys don't believe in borders or immigration laws..

budaatum:
The event ruined the Nigerian education system that at the time relied on science and maths teachers from Ghana.

Upon their expulsion many of us lost some very good teachers. It hurt.

Vinnie2000:


Wow!.

I was told in the 1980's, there were a lot of Foreigners as Teachers in Nigeria. Even Indians as Teachers in secondary Schools.

But they Left.