The Untold History of Ghana Must Go In 1983

Ghana Must Go

In 1983, as the Nigerian democratic dictatorship of President Sheu Shagari tightened its grip, a little-known chapter of West African history unfolded—the mass expulsion of illegal immigrants, chiefly Ghanaians, from Nigeria.

This event, colloquially known as the "Ghana Must Go" tragedy, revealed the complexities of political alliances, economic upheavals, and the human struggle for a better life amidst shifting fortunes.

Nigeria, a burgeoning nation on the brink of liberation, had struck oil in 1958. Global giants like Shell, Mobil, and Agip flocked to its shores, leading to economic prosperity despite the turmoil of military rule. The oil boom of the 1970s turned Nigeria into an "African Giant," with oil wells producing millions of barrels daily. In stark contrast, Ghana faced economic and political turmoil, triggered by a drop in cocoa prices and the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah.

Millions of Ghanaians sought refuge in Nigeria during this period, seeking opportunities in the booming economy. Yet, the oil-dependent Nigerian economy was soon hit by falling oil prices, oversupply, and economic downturns globally. Politicians, gearing up for the 1983 elections, used anti-immigrant rhetoric as a scapegoat for Nigeria's troubles.

The friendship between Ghana and Nigeria soured as the leaders' personal conflicts spilled into international politics. President Rawlings of Ghana accused President Shagari of scheming against Ghana's former president, straining relations. The Ghana-Nigeria bond, once strong, weakened as oil deliveries were suspended and tensions escalated.

Nigerians' discontent towards foreigners also grew. The Maitastine Uprising of 1980, led by an illegal Cameroonian immigrant, and an armed robbery involving Ghanaian expatriates further fueled anti-immigrant sentiment. The Nigerian government, led by Minister of Internal Affairs Alhaji Alli Baba, declared a two-week ultimatum for the expulsion of illegal immigrants in response to mounting public pressure.

This expulsion was not the first of its kind. Both nations had engaged in large-scale deportations of each other's citizens. In 1969, Ghana initiated one such expulsion, followed by Nigeria's monumental 1983 deportation of over a million Ghanaians.

Amidst this tumultuous history, "Exodus of Hope: The Unveiled Chronicle of the Ghana Must Go Tragedy (1983)" sheds light on the intertwined fates of two nations and the individuals caught in the crossfire of political maneuvering, economic shifts, and the yearning for a better life. The legacy of the Ghana Must Go tragedy serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics that can shape the destiny of nations and the lives of their people.