Escalating tensions between Ghana and Nigeria have once again come to the fore after a viral video emerged showing Ghanaians forcibly shutting down Nigerian-owned shops despite desperate pleas from the owners. In the footage, shopkeepers—some of whom even presented Ghanaian passports as proof of their legal status—were seen begging the authorities to reconsider, but the enforcement officers paid little attention. Instead, they insisted that the closures had nothing to do with legality or documentation and everything to do with the simple fact that the traders were Nigerian.
The incident has sparked outrage across social media, with many Nigerians condemning what they describe as harassment and discrimination against their nationals in Ghana. This is not the first time such disputes have arisen; for years, Nigerian traders in Ghana have complained about being unfairly targeted under trade laws that restrict foreign involvement in retail markets.
Ghanaian authorities argue that the measures are meant to protect local businesses from being overshadowed by foreign competition, but critics say the enforcement has been selective and often biased against Nigerians. The video highlights the human cost of these policies, showing hardworking business owners pleading for the right to earn a living, only to be shut down in broad daylight. Diplomatic analysts warn that the situation, if left unchecked, could worsen relations between the two West African nations, which already share a history of trade spats and mass deportations.
Many have called on the Nigerian government to engage with its Ghanaian counterpart to resolve the matter through dialogue rather than allowing the tension to escalate into a deeper crisis. For now, the viral video serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Nigerian entrepreneurs abroad and the fragile nature of regional unity in West Africa.