AFRICA NEWS

Nigeria High Commission laments ‘xenophobic tendencies’ in crime reportage

The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana is upset with the nature of reportage of crimes involving Nigerians which it says exhibits some form of xenophobia.

The High Commission in a statement said “xenophobic tendencies” had the potential to mar Ghana-Nigeria relations.

In the statement, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Micheal Olufemi Abikoye, references reports involving Nigerians and criminal activity; including the recent kidnapping of two Canadians in Kumasi.
The involvement of Nigerians in high profile crimes in recent times is viewed as causing some resentment for Nigerians in Ghana.

“The Ghanaian Press, both print and electronic as well as social media seems to have enjoyed a field day in demonising Nigeria which for all intent and purposes, is seen as a fraternal brother to Ghana,” the statement notes.

The High Commission maintains that this line of reportage “has caused untold pains, agony as well as apprehension” to Nigerians in Ghana.

This has compelled it to “appeal to local traditional media and social media to be highly circumspect in such reportage.”

“The ongoing media trial of criminals which was now being turned into a media trial of Nigeria as a country, calls for moderation on the part of media practitioners in Ghana.”

An Association of Nigerians in Ghana also criticized the consistent singling out of Nigerians in criminal activities.

The association said the behaviour of the few Nigerians did not call for stereotyping of all Nigerian nationals.

Ogbonna Keyse, spokesperson for Nigerians in Diaspora said on Eyewitness News: “We are sad and worried because we know that the majority of us are not like that. Nigerians are not criminals. Nigerians are not kidnappers. Nigerians are not murderers. Nigerians are good people, hardworking people.”

 

Source: citinewsroom.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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