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Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) - Foreign Affairs (3781) - Nairaland

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Am I The Only One Whos Tired Of This Kenya Is Ahead Thread / Femi Adesina: "I Don't Lie, No Matter What"; Nigerians React / Kenyans Are Far Behind Nigerians In Every Aspect – Fani-Kayode (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by forgiveness: 2:32pm On Mar 08, 2019
These Ghanians want to play the victim but we know the truth.

The Untold Story Of How Ghana Mercilessly Deported Over 140,000 Nigerians In Two Weeks In 1969
+


INTRODUCTION

In November 1969, about 200,000 aliens majorly Nigerians (who numbered a total of 140,000) (and others from Togo, Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso) were deported from the Republic of Ghana with the speed of light. The government of Ghana effected this deportation on the 18th of November, 1969 with the Aliens Compliance Order. But what really happened? Ghana and Nigeria have always been good friends, right? So what led to this huge diplomatic spat? This is the story.



BACKGROUND

Ghana got independence in 1957 and the leader of the new nation was the charismatic Kwame Nkrumah. Long before Ghana became an independent nation, Nkrumah and Nigerian luminaries like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were contemporaries and close friends, they were all regarded as the intellectual giants of West Africa. Thus, the two nations solidified their friendship with time, many of Nigerian generals were trained at military academies in Ghana and when Nkrumah visited Nigeria, the citizens trooped out to welcome him in a massive carnival-like ceremony. But when Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia took the reins of power, things changed swiftly in Ghana-Nigeria relations took a nosedive.

Busia was the leader of the opposition against Kwame Nkrumah and once he was in power, he did not waste time to undo all the legacies of Nkrumah so he implemented mass deportations of Nigerians and even went on to anger his people by devaluing the cedi by 44% in 1971. Busia blamed the Nigerian immigrant community for the various ills besetting Ghana and his people praised the move saying it was going to bring more jobs and rid their society of crime.

Just as it is playing out in South Africa at the moment, there was a thick bubble of jealousy and xenophobia formed around the successful Nigerians in Ghana and thus, when Busia gave the order for deportations, many Ghanaians actually jubilated. Ghana was in the crushing grip of high unemployment especially among the youths and economic depression and the hate was directed at Nigerians.


NIGERIANS IN GHANA

The connection between Ghana and Nigeria goes back a long way, as far back as the early 20th century, the two nations had already established solid links. As at 1931, Nigerians were already the largest single group of immigrants resident in Ghana. Because of the vast deposits of gold (Ghana was formerly called the Gold Coast) and a bountiful cocoa business, many migrants, especially from Nigeria and other West African nations like Togo and Burkina Faso migrated to Ghana to work as cocoa farmers, farm contractors, factory workers, farm labourers and menial workers on construction sites. Many of these Nigerians eventually became very successful and more joined the influx from the 1931 to 1960 period as the population swelled from 57,400 to 191,802.

By the mid-1960s, the exploding population of migrants in Ghana became an issue and the indigenous Ghanaian population started feeling uncomfortable. Pressure started piling on the government for more natives to take over the jobs and have a larger say in the economy. By 1969, immigrants had become the scapegoats for the widespread unemployment that had hit Ghana. Fingers were pointed at the Nigerian immigrants and they were accused of posing a huge threat to the economy of their host country. In order to respond to this, the government decided to respond and it was a devastating response.

Before I talk about the deportation, it is important to state that the calls for expulsion of Nigerian immigrants in Ghana started around the mid-20th century. In 1932, long before both nations got independence, there was a cocoa hold-up crisis in which the Nigerian cocoa farmers in Akyem Abuakwa stood against the local cocoa hold-up that was led by the king of the town against the European firms and companies. An angry royal council had a meeting in Okyeman in 1935 and urged the colonial government to expel the ‘troublemakers’ and ‘strangers’ (ie the Nigerian immigrants) from Akyem Abuakwa. The resolution of the meeting went:

‘Okyeman consider that it is now time that people from Nigeria and other places should be made amenable to the customary laws of the various states in which they reside and that any act of insubordination on the part of any such strangers should, with the sanction of Government, be punished by deportation.’
As a result of this resolution, the Ghanaians in the town established the National Crusade for the Protection of Ghanaian Enterprise which stood solidly against the foreign entrepreneurs.

THE EXPULSION

‘On 19 November, 1969, the government of Ghana made an announcement that it would enforce the Aliens Compliance Order by which all aliens without valid residence permit were ordered to quit the country within fourteen days, that is, latest by 2 December, 1969. The Quit Order which was promulgated by the Kofi Busia’s government earlier on Tuesday, 18 November, 1969 stated that: It has come to the notice of the Government that several aliens, both Africans and non-Africans in Ghana, do not possess the requisite residence permits in conformity with the laws of Ghana. There are others, too, who are engaging in business of all kinds contrary to the term of their visiting permits. The Government has accordingly directed that all aliens in the first category, that is those without residence permits, should leave Ghana within fourteen days, that is not later than December 2, 1969. Those in the second category should obey strictly the term of their entry permits, and if these have expired they should leave Ghana forthwith. The Ministry of Interior has been directed to comb the country thoroughly for defaulting aliens and aliens arrested for contravening these orders will be dealt with according to the law. ’

For the leaders of Ghana, expelling the Nigerians and others was meant to serve a number of purposes. One, to create more employment opportunities for the Ghanaian nationals roaming the country jobless, stop the deteriorating balance of payment deficit due to the remittances Nigerians sent home from their earnings, stop the sabotage of the economy due to smuggling by aliens, (especially of diamonds) and to stamp out lawlessness and crime, both blamed on the foreigners. In short, it was expected that the deportation of the Nigerians was going to be the magic wand that was going to usher in a new era of economic prosperity to the people of Ghana.

AFTERMATH

Most of the Nigerians sent home were Yorubas from the southwestern portion of the country and all of sudden, places like Oyan, Offa, Ejigbo, Ilorin, Ogbomosho, Oke Imesi and Ogotun received huge numbers of their children who had been domiciled in Ghana for years (Nigeria was in a brutal civil war and some accused the Ghanaian government of trying to destabilize Nigeria when it exempted Igbos from the deportation order calling them ‘special refugees’). Many families were destabilized as many Nigerian were already married to Ghanaians and they could not return home with their spouses, many never recovered from it. The Nigerians expelled from Ghana also suffered massive economic losses with some wealthy ones losing their cocoa plantations worth millions after spending years working on the farms. Many lost all their investments in the twinkle of an eye and never bounced back in life.

Some others had their property looted or destroyed while the Ghanaian authorities confiscated the kiosks and market stalls of other Nigerians. The biggest losses were recorded by Nigerians who had erected massive buildings and houses in Ghana, they were the primary target of xenophobia, they had their hopes dashed and had to return to Nigeria in tears. That was not all, when these Nigerians rushed to the banks to withdraw their savings, the depositors were stunned and shocked when the banks denied them access to their money, the banks said the government said no one was allowed to withdraw more than two thousand pounds. It was a devastating blow and some Nigerian migrants decided to commit suicide (many did) and others decided to set their property on fire. It was a maddening period no one talks about today but the effects still linger.

After they had lost everything, many could not afford the transport fare back home and had to trek across the borders. The exodus was sheer hell on earth for many Nigerians and it landed a massive socio-psychological blow in the minds of many. To make things worse, the Ghanaian security agents and immigration officials were ruthless in enforcing the orders of deportation (why is this story reminding me of President Donald Trump)? In the 1980s, Nigeria would deport millions of Ghanaians, but what really happened? Read the story HERE

CONCLUSION

Nigerians need to learn from history, we need to build a very strong economy that can provide adequately for everyone in the country and prayer and fasting will not do that for us (I am saying this particularly because of the youths who think that is the answer). Nigeria needs massive agricultural revolutions, industries, factories (not mosques or churches), shipyards, schools, hospitals, car manufacturing plants, power plants, research and technology centres (hubs) and financial services (too many to mention). These are the things that will grow the naira and strengthen our economy and Nigeria will then be able to project its power and influence to protect its citizens across the globe and provide more than enough for those at home. If this is not done, then the xenophobia in Ghana, South Africa and other countries directed against Nigerians will be a recurring decimal. That is why we have to learn from history.


https://site.onlinenigeria.com/stories/147878-the-untold-story-of-how-ghana-mercilessly-deported-over-140000-nigerians-in-two-weeks-in-1969.html

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by SuperIgbo1(m): 2:36pm On Mar 08, 2019
jaycent:
What's this one saying? Ogbeni no bring your tribalism come here ooo.

I don't animal speak. Try the next person.

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by forgiveness: 2:36pm On Mar 08, 2019
chrisagyei:
They were and are still demonic people and that's why they're receiving all these [b]curses.Even let's say you wanted to retaliate what Ghana did to you,why did you involve and sacked the whole of west Africa including the Ivorians,burkinabé,togolese,,beninois,and all other Africans [/b]from your country and rather left the Indians,Chinese,lebanese Americans and Europeans to all stay and now that you are suffering and dying,you migrate both legal and illegal to these same African countries you once abused and sacked because you had an oil boom and are now in millions in these countries and you don't even comport yourselves buh act arrogant,deal in drugs,prostitutions,scams whilst your documentations are all expired even for those who used legal channels to enter various African countries with tourist visas of maximum 90 days.Tanzania recently revoked their visa on Arrival from Nigeria and Somalia last year and the Kenyans that you they are rebuking still maintain a visa on arrival to Nigerians buh they still don't comport themselves in these countries.They have no friend even in West Africa.They are surrounded by former French colonies who don't give a Bleep about them.Ghana is their only true ally worldwide buh we don't even like them and see them as friends.They are truly the world reject and their evil plans is hunting them now.Now they are being destroyed from within.They are not even at peace with eachother now that the oil wealth is declining.

You should have asked your forefathers but don't worry I will teach. Read and learn.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by 68816419: 2:48pm On Mar 08, 2019
rvp2018:
You're very daft indeed. Put the link here. Nigeria revenues is about 6% of it's GDP. THE WORLD WORST. I am not sure what you're pasting there.

[b[b]]The data I know[/b] embarassed embarassed - Federal IGR are about 10-13B dollars - all the states IGR are about 2B dollars(with Lagos shy of 2B in 2018 - and about 1B dollars in 2016). Total revenue excluding LCA is about 15B dollars.[/b]

In fact Nigeria federal budget is something like 25B dollars. All the states budgets despite crazly ambitious estimates are less than 15B. And this include deficit financing - lots of BORROWINGs.

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by vaxx: 2:54pm On Mar 08, 2019
SuperIgbo1:
[s][/s]

You're a retardedd stark illiterate dumbass.

You're getting agitated for nothing, looool. Honestly, do you expect me read this emotionally induced copy and paste gibberish?

Nigeria made Igbos rich yet, the Igbos have the highest middle class in Nigeria while, your hausa brothers remain impoverished, feeding from the ground even as, Dangote is the richest man in Africa.

I really don't take Ghanaian folks seriously. Y'all are too emotional to keep up with an intelligent discourse. You might start crying before you say another word, looool.

Many of those companies you mentioned are not even owned by Yorubas. Eko hotel is owned by a Lebanese, shoprite is a South African venture I think. How can I take your emotional dumbass seriously when you don't even have an idea, looool.

Chi limited is owned by the Coca-Cola company, PZ cussons, Etisalat , Unilever, Julius Berger, Chevron, Shell, Indomie noodles and, the rest of them are all foreign-owned. While, Channels TV is owned by John Momoh and, he's Edo not Yoruba. Silverbird is owned by Ben Bruce and, he's ijo not Yoruba. All these ventures exists everywhere in Nigeria not just Lagos. I don't live in Nigeria but, I know this.

I'd love to list the companies owned by Igbos in Lagos but, it seems you're all about emotions than facts, loooooool. Fidelity, Diamond banks and UBA are all Igbo-owned with their headquarters in Lagos. The biggest private hospital - Eko hospital in Nigeria is owned by Igbos, looool. The leading retail mobile phone company is owned by an Igbo man. I'm done. Those markets you aforementioned that are owned by the Igbos, contribute their own quotas in their development of Lagos just like those companies that are not even owned by the Yorubas.

Come back when you deal with your emotions and, ready to talk facts, loooool.


Do you think you will be left with your ignorance and stupidity.? Here is public forum, all stupidity and daftness are exposed.

You started this gullibility when you begin to speak trash out our ass you called mouth.


it is proven fact that the eastern part of Nigeria are largely underdeveloped, There were no strategic Federal Capital projects in the East. There were no huge infrastructural investments in the East. The last major Federal Government investment in Igbo land was the Niger Bridge, which was commissioned in 1966. Any region starved of government funds experiences catatony and attrition. Private capital is often not enough to do so. even with that eastern part of Nigeria can't still meet up like her peer in the west. every large parts of Igboland, the roads, health facilities, educational institutions, etc have deteriorated despite the revenue accruing to both the states and local governments.

most of the company i made mention were bought up or have large stake of other Nigeria ( westerners.) had contributed to Nigeria development.

The major institutions of the south-west were developed by the diligence, hard-work, industry and sweat of the yoruba people. This is a historical fact, the facts are clear and the records speak for themselves.

The igbo had little to do with the development of Nigeria since independence till today and that is a fact. Other than Ajegunle, Computer Town, Alaba and buying up a few market stalls in Isale Eko that i made mention. this also apply to other Nigeria


You fool should know fully well, the southerners have a larger stake in banking sector and the only independent telecommunication industry of Nigeria is owned by yoruba. The hausa had have you in their pocket ever since nigeria creation.


Tribbalistic bigot, i will educate you more if need arises.... and stop miseducatiing nairalander, there is nothing like diamond bank anymore. the buisness failed both home and abroad.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by XhosaNostra(f): 3:08pm On Mar 08, 2019
forgiveness:

These Ghanians want to play the victim but we know the truth.

The Untold Story Of How Ghana Mercilessly Deported Over 140,000 Nigerians In Two Weeks In 1969
+


INTRODUCTION

In November 1969, about 200,000 aliens majorly Nigerians (who numbered a total of 140,000) (and others from Togo, Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso) were deported from the Republic of Ghana with the speed of light. The government of Ghana effected this deportation on the 18th of November, 1969 with the Aliens Compliance Order. But what really happened? Ghana and Nigeria have always been good friends, right? So what led to this huge diplomatic spat? This is the story.



BACKGROUND

Ghana got independence in 1957 and the leader of the new nation was the charismatic Kwame Nkrumah. Long before Ghana became an independent nation, Nkrumah and Nigerian luminaries like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were contemporaries and close friends, they were all regarded as the intellectual giants of West Africa. Thus, the two nations solidified their friendship with time, many of Nigerian generals were trained at military academies in Ghana and when Nkrumah visited Nigeria, the citizens trooped out to welcome him in a massive carnival-like ceremony. But when Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia took the reins of power, things changed swiftly in Ghana-Nigeria relations took a nosedive.

Busia was the leader of the opposition against Kwame Nkrumah and once he was in power, he did not waste time to undo all the legacies of Nkrumah so he implemented mass deportations of Nigerians and even went on to anger his people by devaluing the cedi by 44% in 1971. Busia blamed the Nigerian immigrant community for the various ills besetting Ghana and his people praised the move saying it was going to bring more jobs and rid their society of crime.

Just as it is playing out in South Africa at the moment, there was a thick bubble of jealousy and xenophobia formed around the successful Nigerians in Ghana and thus, when Busia gave the order for deportations, many Ghanaians actually jubilated. Ghana was in the crushing grip of high unemployment especially among the youths and economic depression and the hate was directed at Nigerians.


NIGERIANS IN GHANA

The connection between Ghana and Nigeria goes back a long way, as far back as the early 20th century, the two nations had already established solid links. As at 1931, Nigerians were already the largest single group of immigrants resident in Ghana. Because of the vast deposits of gold (Ghana was formerly called the Gold Coast) and a bountiful cocoa business, many migrants, especially from Nigeria and other West African nations like Togo and Burkina Faso migrated to Ghana to work as cocoa farmers, farm contractors, factory workers, farm labourers and menial workers on construction sites. Many of these Nigerians eventually became very successful and more joined the influx from the 1931 to 1960 period as the population swelled from 57,400 to 191,802.

By the mid-1960s, the exploding population of migrants in Ghana became an issue and the indigenous Ghanaian population started feeling uncomfortable. Pressure started piling on the government for more natives to take over the jobs and have a larger say in the economy. By 1969, immigrants had become the scapegoats for the widespread unemployment that had hit Ghana. Fingers were pointed at the Nigerian immigrants and they were accused of posing a huge threat to the economy of their host country. In order to respond to this, the government decided to respond and it was a devastating response.

Before I talk about the deportation, it is important to state that the calls for expulsion of Nigerian immigrants in Ghana started around the mid-20th century. In 1932, long before both nations got independence, there was a cocoa hold-up crisis in which the Nigerian cocoa farmers in Akyem Abuakwa stood against the local cocoa hold-up that was led by the king of the town against the European firms and companies. An angry royal council had a meeting in Okyeman in 1935 and urged the colonial government to expel the ‘troublemakers’ and ‘strangers’ (ie the Nigerian immigrants) from Akyem Abuakwa. The resolution of the meeting went:

‘Okyeman consider that it is now time that people from Nigeria and other places should be made amenable to the customary laws of the various states in which they reside and that any act of insubordination on the part of any such strangers should, with the sanction of Government, be punished by deportation.’
As a result of this resolution, the Ghanaians in the town established the National Crusade for the Protection of Ghanaian Enterprise which stood solidly against the foreign entrepreneurs.

THE EXPULSION

‘On 19 November, 1969, the government of Ghana made an announcement that it would enforce the Aliens Compliance Order by which all aliens without valid residence permit were ordered to quit the country within fourteen days, that is, latest by 2 December, 1969. The Quit Order which was promulgated by the Kofi Busia’s government earlier on Tuesday, 18 November, 1969 stated that: It has come to the notice of the Government that several aliens, both Africans and non-Africans in Ghana, do not possess the requisite residence permits in conformity with the laws of Ghana. There are others, too, who are engaging in business of all kinds contrary to the term of their visiting permits. The Government has accordingly directed that all aliens in the first category, that is those without residence permits, should leave Ghana within fourteen days, that is not later than December 2, 1969. Those in the second category should obey strictly the term of their entry permits, and if these have expired they should leave Ghana forthwith. The Ministry of Interior has been directed to comb the country thoroughly for defaulting aliens and aliens arrested for contravening these orders will be dealt with according to the law. ’

For the leaders of Ghana, expelling the Nigerians and others was meant to serve a number of purposes. One, to create more employment opportunities for the Ghanaian nationals roaming the country jobless, stop the deteriorating balance of payment deficit due to the remittances Nigerians sent home from their earnings, stop the sabotage of the economy due to smuggling by aliens, (especially of diamonds) and to stamp out lawlessness and crime, both blamed on the foreigners. In short, it was expected that the deportation of the Nigerians was going to be the magic wand that was going to usher in a new era of economic prosperity to the people of Ghana.

AFTERMATH

Most of the Nigerians sent home were Yorubas from the southwestern portion of the country and all of sudden, places like Oyan, Offa, Ejigbo, Ilorin, Ogbomosho, Oke Imesi and Ogotun received huge numbers of their children who had been domiciled in Ghana for years (Nigeria was in a brutal civil war and some accused the Ghanaian government of trying to destabilize Nigeria when it exempted Igbos from the deportation order calling them ‘special refugees’). Many families were destabilized as many Nigerian were already married to Ghanaians and they could not return home with their spouses, many never recovered from it. The Nigerians expelled from Ghana also suffered massive economic losses with some wealthy ones losing their cocoa plantations worth millions after spending years working on the farms. Many lost all their investments in the twinkle of an eye and never bounced back in life.

Some others had their property looted or destroyed while the Ghanaian authorities confiscated the kiosks and market stalls of other Nigerians. The biggest losses were recorded by Nigerians who had erected massive buildings and houses in Ghana, they were the primary target of xenophobia, they had their hopes dashed and had to return to Nigeria in tears. That was not all, when these Nigerians rushed to the banks to withdraw their savings, the depositors were stunned and shocked when the banks denied them access to their money, the banks said the government said no one was allowed to withdraw more than two thousand pounds. It was a devastating blow and some Nigerian migrants decided to commit suicide (many did) and others decided to set their property on fire. It was a maddening period no one talks about today but the effects still linger.

After they had lost everything, many could not afford the transport fare back home and had to trek across the borders. The exodus was sheer hell on earth for many Nigerians and it landed a massive socio-psychological blow in the minds of many. To make things worse, the Ghanaian security agents and immigration officials were ruthless in enforcing the orders of deportation (why is this story reminding me of President Donald Trump)? In the 1980s, Nigeria would deport millions of Ghanaians, but what really happened? Read the story HERE

CONCLUSION

Nigerians need to learn from history, we need to build a very strong economy that can provide adequately for everyone in the country and prayer and fasting will not do that for us (I am saying this particularly because of the youths who think that is the answer). Nigeria needs massive agricultural revolutions, industries, factories (not mosques or churches), shipyards, schools, hospitals, car manufacturing plants, power plants, research and technology centres (hubs) and financial services (too many to mention). These are the things that will grow the naira and strengthen our economy and Nigeria will then be able to project its power and influence to protect its citizens across the globe and provide more than enough for those at home. If this is not done, then the xenophobia in Ghana, South Africa and other countries directed against Nigerians will be a recurring decimal. That is why we have to learn from history.


https://site.onlinenigeria.com/stories/147878-the-untold-story-of-how-ghana-mercilessly-deported-over-140000-nigerians-in-two-weeks-in-1969.html

What is South Africa jealous of? Trevor Noah has competition in you, my friend. You're full of jokes. Read this slowly, South Africans are NOT jealous of you. There're plenty foreign nationals in South Africa running all types of businesses. Meaning if we were jealous of you, we'd boycott whatever services you provide, to go for someone less clownish & you on the other hand, wouldn't even have the success to boast about in South Africa. You'll join the rest of your hobo brothers on the pavement, who sunbathe for a living. The majority of people going to your salons & internet cafes are South Africans! We could choose any other nationality to do business with, just to close that stinking gutter you call a mouth! Stop talking out of your anus.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by samsobo24(m): 3:16pm On Mar 08, 2019
vaxx:
Ghana is building what she needed and not what she dosnt need. once you build what you don't need, it will be term as cosmetic project .



Ghana to embark on sky train soon and that is expected to cost 2.6 biillion dollar.

Before you ask where is the project ( visibility study will be carry out first and report we be send to mr president for approval after that, the project we begin. and it takes close to a year for such exercise due to technical report.



The regular Ghanaian arrant,fallacious nonsense.


Ghana is 100% better than Nigeria by mere mouth and on Nairaland

Ghana simply has nothing to offer that we can even applaud you for.

After we take up the Barton,we will start running after NK,Saudi,Brazil, Singapore etc

AND
not backward Ghana.


Mehn
Even Ghanaian capital is till largely rural,with crazy informal settlements.


DON'T DARE!!!!!
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by samsobo24(m): 3:25pm On Mar 08, 2019
Just30:
misplaced priorities
For Ghanaians Because Ghana is still in the gutters.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by XhosaNostra(f): 3:26pm On Mar 08, 2019
forgiveness:

These Ghanians want to play the victim but we know the truth.

The Untold Story Of How Ghana Mercilessly Deported Over 140,000 Nigerians In Two Weeks In 1969
+


INTRODUCTION

In November 1969, about 200,000 aliens majorly Nigerians (who numbered a total of 140,000) (and others from Togo, Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso) were deported from the Republic of Ghana with the speed of light. The government of Ghana effected this deportation on the 18th of November, 1969 with the Aliens Compliance Order. But what really happened? Ghana and Nigeria have always been good friends, right? So what led to this huge diplomatic spat? This is the story.



BACKGROUND

Ghana got independence in 1957 and the leader of the new nation was the charismatic Kwame Nkrumah. Long before Ghana became an independent nation, Nkrumah and Nigerian luminaries like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were contemporaries and close friends, they were all regarded as the intellectual giants of West Africa. Thus, the two nations solidified their friendship with time, many of Nigerian generals were trained at military academies in Ghana and when Nkrumah visited Nigeria, the citizens trooped out to welcome him in a massive carnival-like ceremony. But when Prime Minister Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia took the reins of power, things changed swiftly in Ghana-Nigeria relations took a nosedive.

Busia was the leader of the opposition against Kwame Nkrumah and once he was in power, he did not waste time to undo all the legacies of Nkrumah so he implemented mass deportations of Nigerians and even went on to anger his people by devaluing the cedi by 44% in 1971. Busia blamed the Nigerian immigrant community for the various ills besetting Ghana and his people praised the move saying it was going to bring more jobs and rid their society of crime.

Just as it is playing out in South Africa at the moment, there was a thick bubble of jealousy and xenophobia formed around the successful Nigerians in Ghana and thus, when Busia gave the order for deportations, many Ghanaians actually jubilated. Ghana was in the crushing grip of high unemployment especially among the youths and economic depression and the hate was directed at Nigerians.


NIGERIANS IN GHANA

The connection between Ghana and Nigeria goes back a long way, as far back as the early 20th century, the two nations had already established solid links. As at 1931, Nigerians were already the largest single group of immigrants resident in Ghana. Because of the vast deposits of gold (Ghana was formerly called the Gold Coast) and a bountiful cocoa business, many migrants, especially from Nigeria and other West African nations like Togo and Burkina Faso migrated to Ghana to work as cocoa farmers, farm contractors, factory workers, farm labourers and menial workers on construction sites. Many of these Nigerians eventually became very successful and more joined the influx from the 1931 to 1960 period as the population swelled from 57,400 to 191,802.

By the mid-1960s, the exploding population of migrants in Ghana became an issue and the indigenous Ghanaian population started feeling uncomfortable. Pressure started piling on the government for more natives to take over the jobs and have a larger say in the economy. By 1969, immigrants had become the scapegoats for the widespread unemployment that had hit Ghana. Fingers were pointed at the Nigerian immigrants and they were accused of posing a huge threat to the economy of their host country. In order to respond to this, the government decided to respond and it was a devastating response.

Before I talk about the deportation, it is important to state that the calls for expulsion of Nigerian immigrants in Ghana started around the mid-20th century. In 1932, long before both nations got independence, there was a cocoa hold-up crisis in which the Nigerian cocoa farmers in Akyem Abuakwa stood against the local cocoa hold-up that was led by the king of the town against the European firms and companies. An angry royal council had a meeting in Okyeman in 1935 and urged the colonial government to expel the ‘troublemakers’ and ‘strangers’ (ie the Nigerian immigrants) from Akyem Abuakwa. The resolution of the meeting went:

‘Okyeman consider that it is now time that people from Nigeria and other places should be made amenable to the customary laws of the various states in which they reside and that any act of insubordination on the part of any such strangers should, with the sanction of Government, be punished by deportation.’
As a result of this resolution, the Ghanaians in the town established the National Crusade for the Protection of Ghanaian Enterprise which stood solidly against the foreign entrepreneurs.

THE EXPULSION

‘On 19 November, 1969, the government of Ghana made an announcement that it would enforce the Aliens Compliance Order by which all aliens without valid residence permit were ordered to quit the country within fourteen days, that is, latest by 2 December, 1969. The Quit Order which was promulgated by the Kofi Busia’s government earlier on Tuesday, 18 November, 1969 stated that: It has come to the notice of the Government that several aliens, both Africans and non-Africans in Ghana, do not possess the requisite residence permits in conformity with the laws of Ghana. There are others, too, who are engaging in business of all kinds contrary to the term of their visiting permits. The Government has accordingly directed that all aliens in the first category, that is those without residence permits, should leave Ghana within fourteen days, that is not later than December 2, 1969. Those in the second category should obey strictly the term of their entry permits, and if these have expired they should leave Ghana forthwith. The Ministry of Interior has been directed to comb the country thoroughly for defaulting aliens and aliens arrested for contravening these orders will be dealt with according to the law. ’

For the leaders of Ghana, expelling the Nigerians and others was meant to serve a number of purposes. One, to create more employment opportunities for the Ghanaian nationals roaming the country jobless, stop the deteriorating balance of payment deficit due to the remittances Nigerians sent home from their earnings, stop the sabotage of the economy due to smuggling by aliens, (especially of diamonds) and to stamp out lawlessness and crime, both blamed on the foreigners. In short, it was expected that the deportation of the Nigerians was going to be the magic wand that was going to usher in a new era of economic prosperity to the people of Ghana.

AFTERMATH

Most of the Nigerians sent home were Yorubas from the southwestern portion of the country and all of sudden, places like Oyan, Offa, Ejigbo, Ilorin, Ogbomosho, Oke Imesi and Ogotun received huge numbers of their children who had been domiciled in Ghana for years (Nigeria was in a brutal civil war and some accused the Ghanaian government of trying to destabilize Nigeria when it exempted Igbos from the deportation order calling them ‘special refugees’). Many families were destabilized as many Nigerian were already married to Ghanaians and they could not return home with their spouses, many never recovered from it. The Nigerians expelled from Ghana also suffered massive economic losses with some wealthy ones losing their cocoa plantations worth millions after spending years working on the farms. Many lost all their investments in the twinkle of an eye and never bounced back in life.

Some others had their property looted or destroyed while the Ghanaian authorities confiscated the kiosks and market stalls of other Nigerians. The biggest losses were recorded by Nigerians who had erected massive buildings and houses in Ghana, they were the primary target of xenophobia, they had their hopes dashed and had to return to Nigeria in tears. That was not all, when these Nigerians rushed to the banks to withdraw their savings, the depositors were stunned and shocked when the banks denied them access to their money, the banks said the government said no one was allowed to withdraw more than two thousand pounds. It was a devastating blow and some Nigerian migrants decided to commit suicide (many did) and others decided to set their property on fire. It was a maddening period no one talks about today but the effects still linger.

After they had lost everything, many could not afford the transport fare back home and had to trek across the borders. The exodus was sheer hell on earth for many Nigerians and it landed a massive socio-psychological blow in the minds of many. To make things worse, the Ghanaian security agents and immigration officials were ruthless in enforcing the orders of deportation (why is this story reminding me of President Donald Trump)? In the 1980s, Nigeria would deport millions of Ghanaians, but what really happened? Read the story HERE

CONCLUSION

Nigerians need to learn from history, we need to build a very strong economy that can provide adequately for everyone in the country and prayer and fasting will not do that for us (I am saying this particularly because of the youths who think that is the answer). Nigeria needs massive agricultural revolutions, industries, factories (not mosques or churches), shipyards, schools, hospitals, car manufacturing plants, power plants, research and technology centres (hubs) and financial services (too many to mention). These are the things that will grow the naira and strengthen our economy and Nigeria will then be able to project its power and influence to protect its citizens across the globe and provide more than enough for those at home. If this is not done, then the xenophobia in Ghana, South Africa and other countries directed against Nigerians will be a recurring decimal. That is why we have to learn from history.


https://site.onlinenigeria.com/stories/147878-the-untold-story-of-how-ghana-mercilessly-deported-over-140000-nigerians-in-two-weeks-in-1969.html

Did you know some of your brothers are living off South African women like parasites? Another one just recently stole his GF's car & wallet. The shameless gigolo even posted pictures of himself inside the car on Instagram (after he's stolen it from its owner), to boast as usual.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by samorobo: 3:29pm On Mar 08, 2019
68816419:

how Dfck do you even compare these two countries ?
Kenya=
50million people with 47 counties, $90B economy, Fx $8B, external debt of $48B,Total counties(states) IRG(2018) $11B,
Nigeria=
200million people with only 36 states, $490B economy, Fx $46B, external debts of $11B,Lagos states IGR(2018) $20B.
No you are wrong nigeria's gdp is above 576 billion not to talk of 490 billion

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by Jonraid(m): 3:31pm On Mar 08, 2019
I left that important bit.Thank you for saying.It is a win win for both the investor and the host!
TayserMahri:


And their economy too. It's a win win scenario . They are also free to set up shoe factories in Kenya.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by vaxx: 3:33pm On Mar 08, 2019
samsobo24:

The regular Ghanaian arrant,fallacious nonsense.


Ghana is 100% better than Nigeria by mere mouth and on Nairaland

Ghana simply has nothing to offer that we can even applaud you for.

After we take up the Barton,we will start running after NK,Saudi,Brazil, Singapore etc

AND
not backward Ghana.


Mehn
Even Ghanaian capital is till largely rural,with crazy informal settlements.


DON'T DARE!!!!!
This is just an emotional reply nothing educational here. ok....next reply pls.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:34pm On Mar 08, 2019
XhosaNostra:


Did you know some of your brothers are living off South African women like parasites? Another one just recently stole his GF's car & wallet. The shameless gigolo even posted pictures of himself inside the car on Instagram (after he's stolen it from its owner), to boast as usual.

Please tell me he has been arrested and sentenced to the noose
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:36pm On Mar 08, 2019
vaxx:
This is just an emotional reply nothing educational here. ok....next reply pls.

This samson of ambode is always emotional
You will get used to him

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by XhosaNostra(f): 3:40pm On Mar 08, 2019
tylann:

Please tell me he has been arrested and sentenced to the noose

Julius Malema shared the post on his timeline on Twitter, where the lady was appealing to the public to help find her car. South Africans were not sympathetic. They refused to help. But I'm sure the police are working on it (if they haven't captured him already) since they have footage of him leaving the residence, in her car. He was even caught on camera at a petrol station using one of her credit cards.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by Jonraid(m): 3:40pm On Mar 08, 2019
Nigeria's tax to GDP ratio hovers at around 6%

You can dare their revenue bodies to increase it to Sub Sahara's Africa's average of around 18.5%.All these facts shows why that GDP is a lie!

They can't even arrive at 8% because the economy is already taxed to the marrow,taxed to the bone!
rvp2018:
You're very daft indeed. Put the link here. Nigeria revenues is about 6% of it's GDP . THE WORLD WORST. I am not sure what you're pasting there.

The data I know - Federal IGR are about 10-13B dollars - all the states IGR are about 2B dollars(with Lagos shy of 2B in 2018 - and about 1B dollars in 2016). Total revenue excluding LCA is about 15B dollars.

In fact Nigeria federal budget is something like 25B dollars. All the states budgets despite crazly ambitious estimates are less than 15B. And this include deficit financing - lots of BORROWINGs.

2 Likes

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:46pm On Mar 08, 2019
XhosaNostra:


Julius Malema shared the post on his timeline on Twitter, where the lady was appealing to the public to help find her car. South Africans were not sympathetic. They refused to help. But I'm sure the police are working on it (if they haven't captured him already) since they have footage of him leaving the residence, in her car. He was even caught on camera at a petrol station using one of her credit cards.

This was the trend in Kenya back then where Nigerian guys will date Kenyan ladies and end up
Robbing them everything

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:50pm On Mar 08, 2019
XhosaNostra:


Julius Malema shared the post on his timeline on Twitter, where the lady was appealing to the public to help find her car. South Africans were not sympathetic. They refused to help. But I'm sure the police are working on it (if they haven't captured him already) since they have footage of him leaving the residence, in her car. He was even caught on camera at a petrol station using one of her credit cards.

But if he is arrested and shot dead
Nigerian community will call a press conference crying how you are jealous of their success

2 Likes

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by XhosaNostra(f): 3:51pm On Mar 08, 2019
tylann:

This was the trend in Kenya back then where Nigerian guys will date Kenyan ladies and end up
Robbing them everything

It serves them right, TBH. They have been warned in many different ways, in short of using hand puppets & crayon drawings to convey a much clearer message. But they don't wanna listen. They only think with their vaginas. I feel no pity for such dumbassery!

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by 68816419: 3:54pm On Mar 08, 2019
Nigeria ports data for anyone interested. grin grin grin grin grin Many more under constructions

Nigeria is not "one city" country, Lagos ports account for less than half of the total port cargo traffic in Nigeria

Now compare it with Kenya grin grin grin grin

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:54pm On Mar 08, 2019
XhosaNostra:


It serves them right, TBH. They have been warned in many different ways, in short of using hand puppets & crayon drawings to convey a much clearer message. But they don't wanna listen. They only think with their vaginas. I feel no pity for such dumbassery!

Some don't listen
You learn from your mistakes

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by Just30: 3:56pm On Mar 08, 2019
samsobo24:
For Ghanaians Because Ghana is still in the gutters.
naa
putting rails to an airport for the few whiles the majority sit in rickety vehicles is a misplace priority

it can only happen in Nigeria
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:57pm On Mar 08, 2019
XhosaNostra:


Julius Malema shared the post on his timeline on Twitter, where the lady was appealing to the public to help find her car. South Africans were not sympathetic. They refused to help. But I'm sure the police are working on it (if they haven't captured him already) since they have footage of him leaving the residence, in her car. He was even caught on camera at a petrol station using one of her credit cards.

One question real quick
What is Julius malema stand on illegal immigrants ( Nigerians )
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by ednited(f): 3:58pm On Mar 08, 2019
kikuyu1:


Definitely! I foresee a very happy consummation and loooong marriage! Ednited,where are you at?


Marriage?

How did we get to that topic from investment?

grin grin grin
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by XhosaNostra(f): 3:58pm On Mar 08, 2019
tylann:

But if he is arrested and shot dead
Nigerian community will call a press conference crying how you are jealous of their success

Ha! Jealous my azz! We see them here & most of them are nothing to envy.
One of my cousin's friends is married to one such loser. She's the breadwinner. All he does is sit on his ass the whole day while she works. Love is blind, I guess. Shrugs.

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by Just30: 3:58pm On Mar 08, 2019
tylann:

You mean 5 million Nigerians live in Ghana
Even Nigerian senators live in Ghana

majority of their Senators have their entire family in Ghana

We party with them all the time

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 3:59pm On Mar 08, 2019
Just30:
naa
putting rails to an airport for the few whiles the majority sit in rickety vehicles is a misplace priority

it can only happen in Nigeria

True talk
Misplaced priorities
Building utopian cities
Instead of investing in people

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by XhosaNostra(f): 4:00pm On Mar 08, 2019
tylann:

Some don't listen
You learn from your mistakes

I'm sure they will, eventually.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by ednited(f): 4:00pm On Mar 08, 2019
TayserMahri:

What did he lie about?
You will soon see.
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by Just30: 4:01pm On Mar 08, 2019
68816419:
Nigeria ports data for anyone interested. grin grin grin grin grin Many more under constructions

Nigeria is not "one city" country, Lagos ports account for less than half of the total port cargo traffic in Nigeria
not strange when you have 200 million people and import everything
Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by tylann: 4:02pm On Mar 08, 2019
XhosaNostra:


Ha! Jealous my azz! We see them here & most of them are nothing to envy.
One of my cousin's friends is married to one such loser. She's the breadwinner. All he does is sit on his ass the whole day while she works. Love is blind, I guess. Shrugs.

Okay i pity her that is not love that stupidity and foolishness
My mum taught me well

1 Like

Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by samorobo: 4:02pm On Mar 08, 2019
vaxx:
Ghana is building what she needed and not what she dosnt need. once you build what you don't need, it will be term as cosmetic project .



Ghana to embark on sky train soon and that is expected to cost 2.6 biillion dollar.

Before you ask where is the project ( visibility study will be carry out first and report we be send to mr president for approval after that, the project we begin. and it takes close to a year for such exercise due to technical report.


You mean the one your president went rolling on the ground begging south africans to build. ....sky train is a useless project because it cannot properly serve the masses properly.....calabar and port harcourt have that and they are currently building a light rail....and to think the project will start by 2020 is a joke.....and also utopian dreams



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