President Shagari Speaks On Expulsion of Ghanaians From Nigeria | Ghana-Togo Border Shut | Jan.1983

January 1983.

Footage of remarks made by President Shehu Shagari at the time of his government's expulsion of Ghanaians from Nigeria.

Shagari referred to Ghanaian governments decision to close its border with Togo and the resultant fears of the Republic of Benin that the refugees would be stuck in Benin. His Executive Order signed by in January 1983 ordered the deportation of over 2 million men, women and children who were adjudged to be illegal immigrants.

The decison was due to the downturn in the Nigerian economy which was no longer reaping the benefits of the prolonged "oil boom" of the 1970s. There was also a political motive: the ruling party was aware than a segment of Ghanaians had registered as voters for the impending election and calculated that they were more likely to vote for the opposition.

As in similar situations, the government hoped to divert discontent over the economy onto immigrants who could be claimed to be taking the jobs of indigenous workers. The spectre of xenophobia was introduced three weeks before the Executive Order when a man who was claimed to be Ghanaian was shot and killed while breaking and entering the home of the Nigerian Vice President.


Source of footage: Reuters News Archive.

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