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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and Ghana have agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling the growing wave of Afrophobic protests and attacks against African nationals across the continent, with both countries pledging to push the issue onto the agenda of the next African Union Summit.

The commitment followed a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on the sidelines of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

During the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye commended the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, describing both countries as partners with shared values and common aspirations for Africa.

He said, “There is a need for increased collaboration and strategic consultation between our two countries, as well as preventive diplomacy that will enable us to address potential challenges before they escalate.”

The minister also conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and praised Ghana’s leadership in advancing Pan-Africanism and the campaign for reparations for Africans and people of African descent affected by the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.

He congratulated President Mahama on the adoption of the landmark United Nations resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the successful hosting of the Next Steps High-Level Conference on reparative justice.

According to him, “Nigeria aligns with and fully supports the decisions of the Conference in the quest for reparative justice for Africans.”

Responding, Ghana’s Foreign Minister congratulated Ambassador Enikanolaiye on his recent appointment and expressed confidence that both countries would continue to strengthen their diplomatic partnership.

He said, “There is a need for continuous collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana, anchored on action-oriented preventive diplomacy achieved through brotherly communication devoid of unnecessary bureaucracy.”

Ablakwa also thanked Nigeria for supporting the landmark UN resolution on the transatlantic slave trade and its continued advocacy for reparative justice.

He highlighted progress already made, including formal apologies issued by the Pope, the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, alongside ongoing efforts by several European countries to return looted artefacts.

The Ghanaian minister further acknowledged Nigeria’s contribution at the recent high-level conference on reparative justice.

He said, “We appreciate the positive impact of the Nigerian delegation, particularly the statement delivered and the commitment expressed by Nigeria in advancing the cause of reparative justice.”

A major focus of the meeting was the recent rise in Afrophobic protests and attacks targeting African nationals, particularly in South Africa.

Both ministers expressed concern that such incidents threaten the ideals of African unity, regional integration and the free movement of people envisioned under the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
They jointly condemned xenophobia, Afrophobia and all forms of violence directed at fellow Africans.

The ministers stated that “all forms of xenophobia, Afrophobia, intolerance and violence against fellow Africans are contrary to the shared values of Pan-Africanism and the collective progress of the continent.”

They stressed the need for coordinated continental action to address the root causes of such tensions, safeguard the rights and dignity of African migrants and promote peaceful coexistence across the continent.

The ministers also maintained that while individuals involved in criminal activities should face justice, they should be prosecuted in accordance with the law rather than becoming victims of mob violence.

They emphasised that “criminals among migrant populations must be treated in accordance with the rule of law and not be subjected to violence and mob actions that often target even regular migrants and other law-abiding African citizens.”

As part of their resolutions, both countries agreed to work together to ensure that Afrophobia becomes a priority issue at the next African Union Summit.

They also pledged to engage other member states in advocating stronger African Union mechanisms, including enhanced monitoring systems, early warning structures and preventive diplomacy to prevent future incidents.

The meeting reaffirmed the close ties between Nigeria and Ghana, with both ministers calling on African Union member states to recommit themselves to the principles of Pan-Africanism, mutual respect and the free movement of persons.

They further encouraged sustained public education and dialogue to combat prejudice, strengthen solidarity and promote greater understanding among African communities.

The discussions ended with both countries reaffirming their commitment to working together within ECOWAS, the African Union and other multilateral platforms to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Africa.