Ghana Must Go!
We know you have heard that in the ’80s, going to Nigeria was a big deal to Ghanaians, it was the equivalent of going to Dubai, US or Europe today until the Nigerian government decided to sacked all Ghanaians in their country back home.
In 1983, the President of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari issued an executive order mandating immigrants without proper immigration documents to leave the country or they would be arrested according to the law. The order was in alleged response to the religious disturbances that had engulfed parts of the country in 1980 (Kano 1980 Riots) and 1981. Most of the immigrants were West Africans and mainly Ghanaians. Over 2 million men, women, and children were affected.
Records put the number of Ghanaians who were deported to be around one million. So you know about this story but have you seen how it was like?
Say no more, here are five historical photos of how “Ghana Must Go” happened.
You can see Ghanaians being deported on the ship deck in Lagos on Feb 2, 1983, as they prepared to sail back to Ghana.
Truckloads of Ghanaians expelled by Nigeria as aliens.
Another truckload of Ghanaians returning home following the alien expulsion order.
Immigrants arrive in Ghana
Transport station in disarray
