Ghana-must-go bag is a locally made bag in Nigeria with different sizes and colours and capacity. It is used mostly for interstates travelling and moving of goods and foodstuffs. When I was quite young, the name 'Ghana-must-go' fascinated me because a sack bag was named after a country and I was tempted to assume that the bags were either made in Ghana or the manufacturer is a Ghanian. Whichever, I was interested in knowing the inspiration behind the name so I asked my parents about it. They laughed heartily to my question and told me how Nigerians matched against Ghanians in Nigeria during Maj.Gen Buhari Regime and it was in a way instigated by the then military head of state. 'It wasn't a violent match' my father was quick to add, we just wanted them to go back to their country and develop their economy and it worked peacefully. Majority of the illegal immigrants moved back to Ghana with sack bags that we later named 'Ghana-must-go' and it's the name till date.
The Igbos call it Obodoyibo but in English language it can be referred to as 'abroad'.Abroad is a name we give to some Western countries that offers many opportunities, has a good economy and low cost of living. America for example is 'abroad'; the first time my Aunty travelled to the UK, she called us with excitement in her voice to inform us that finally she's in 'abroad'. Every family in Nigeria will like to boast about their relatives abroad; I have an uncle that lives abroad, my cousins are all in obodoyibo and so on but 'abroad' can not be anywhere, especially not just any African country, it must meet our standards and South Africa is the only African country that has met our qualifications so far. So Ghana is Ghana and South Africa is 'abroad' and one needs visa, international passport and flight ticket to get there. Statistics has shown that a handful of Nigerians live in South Africa for obvious reasons; Schooling, good economy, infrastructure, their minimum wage is about $260 and ours is $60.
About two years ago a Xenophobic attack was launched by South Africans against Nigerians and other African immigrants in South Africa which took the lives of about eight people because they think the foreigners are siphoning their businesses and source of livelihood. My father was angry about the attack so as were other Nigerians because it wasn't the first, I think the first was in 2008 which claimed the lives of 60 people. My father took it personal, it was as if the attack was against his dignity, his soul and spirit. He felt wounded and betrayed, he told me stories of the Apartheid and how they (himself and other well meaning Nigerians) boycotted lectures and fight against the Apartheid and how they celebrated the release of Nelson Mandela. 'It was like our own fight' he said and in many ways we have come to see South Africans as our own brothers. In a fist of revenge, he broke his MTN simcard, called our relatives and told them to boycott Shoprite and DSTV and any other south african investments in Nigeria. All these he did out of mild irritation and anger; ofcourse anger has a long history of restoring dignity and setting things right and the xenophobic attack subsided and reduced until about three weeks ago.
My SA based friend called me to inform that there was another Xenophobic attack in Johannesburg, SA. The victims were alleged to be drug dealers, human traffickers and bad people but all the victims were Nigerians and this made it troubling to me. Why only Nigerians? And there was outrage online between the two countries and I was surprised how most people (SA citizens & even some Nigerians based in SA)supported the attack. I was surprised how people believed that jungle justice is the best way to deal with crime. Let's assume that the victims were guilty of the alleged crimes but Victimhood is not a Virtue and treating them badly will not in any way curb out crimes rather it will leave a wound on their dignity.
I was arguing with someone online about the attack and he was quick to mention the Ghana - must - go case and it has never occurred to me that there's any similarities between the two occurrences...
Read more;
http://afrikanist..com.ng/2017/02/south-africas-xenophobic-attack-and.html?m=1

Hmm

It doesnt matter. The truth is we will not accept this emotional and moral black mail.

d fact is most Nigerians deal in illegal businesses in foreign countries.
if Nigeria is dt gud, u wudnt wnt 2 die in another man's land

Karma? Maybe. I remember Nigerians were quick to label the xenophobic South africans as lazy people. Now looking at the ghana-must-go saga of the past, is it safe to say that nigerians of that time were lazy too? I remember my great mathematics teacher in secondary school was a ghanian. Let's think before we point an accusing finger.

Nigeria govt fail the people. Nigerians are not refugees in South Africa and they're not illegal immigrants, so Nigerian case is not like Ghana case. As of today,there are millions of Ghanaians and Togolese in Nigeria taking up Nigeria jobs especially in construction but Nigerians are not complaining. South African industries are monopolizing Nigeria market and Nigerians are not rioting. If govt of South Africa fail to protect Nigerians, Nigeria govt should not fail her subjects. But it's unfortunate, Nigeria is an evil forest.

Zonacom:
Karma? Maybe. I remember Nigerians were quick to label the xenophobic South africans as lazy people. Now looking at the ghana-must-go saga of the past, is it safe to say that nigerians of that time were lazy too? I remember my great mathematics teacher in secondary school was a ghanian. Let's think before we point an accusing finger.

Ghanaians were not removed from Nigeria because they were Ghanaians, they were removed for living illegally in large number of which is a threat both security wise and economic wise. And it wasn't only Ghanaians that were deported, other nationals who were living illegally were removed too. Of recent, more than 30,000 illegal immigrants from Niger Republic has also been deported.
Also, Nigeria helped build Ghana Economy before deporting the illegal Ghanaian immigrants. Nigeria has never treated, badly, any member nation of Africa and world at large. It is actually Nigerians that are treated as refugees and animals in their own country. Look at Borno, millions of neglected people, go to SE of Nigeria, Army are slaughtering the people there. Go to Lagos,Yorubas want to chase Igbos away for no reason.Nigeria is not Xenophobic to foreigners

EmeeNaka:
Ghanaians were not removed from Nigeria because they were Ghanaians, they were removed for living illegally in large number of which is a threat both security wise and economic wise. And it wasn't only Ghanaians that were deported, other nationals who were living illegally were removed too. Of recent, more than 30,000 illegal immigrants from Niger Republic has also been deported.
Also, Nigeria helped build Ghana Economy before deporting the illegal Ghanaian immigrants. Nigeria has never treated, badly, any member nation of Africa and world at large. It is actually Nigerians that are treated as refugees and animals in their own country. Look at Borno, millions of neglected people, go to SE of Nigeria, Army are slaughtering the people there. Go to Lagos,Yorubas want to chase Igbos away for no reason.Nigeria is not Xenophobic to foreigners

stop saying untruths
How did Nigeria build Ghana Economy
By your logic, Ghana should be deporting the almost 2 million Nigerians that are currently staying in Ghana illegally.
By ECOWAS protocol, they are supposed to stay for 90 days only

Just30:
stop saying untruths
How did Nigeria build Ghana Economy
By your logic, Ghana should be deporting the almost 2 million Nigerians that are currently staying in Ghana illegally.
By ECOWAS protocol, they are supposed to stay for 90 days only

2million Nigerians in Ghana are staying illegally? You need to think again

You're heartless to Compare Ghana must go to SA xenophobia. Ghana was the first to deport Nigerians for reasons best known to them. Nigerians reciprocated but in a completely unrelated event. Every country has the right to deport foreigners if they're not there in the best interest of the country. It's good to be welcoming and open armed but it's a personal decision. Deporting illegals shouldn't involve bloodshed and killings. That's just devilish and callous. Ghana and Nigeria didn't do their through killings. They allowed the government to do their job. Now, SA government is sponsoring the killing of foreigners yet they keep on granting visa to these foreigners. Does it mean they use the foreigners blood to worship their Zulu demons? Possibly yes

EmeeNaka:
2million Nigerians in Ghana are staying illegally? You need to think again

They've over stayed their welcome
Which is a 90 day period. Over the past 3 years , almost 600,000 Nigerians have moved into Ghana in an attempt to escape the mess in the North of Nigeria and have not returned since then. Their children are schooling and so forth.

Stop talking nonsense! Did you say nigeria built Ghana's economy before deporting Ghanaians in the 1983s? That is a very stvpid thing to say,huh? Or you think some us were born yesterday?

Don't say things you know nothing about, mudder fugger!

You magg0ts deserve even worse treatment from south Africans! Utter crap!

EmeeNaka:
Ghanaians were not removed from Nigeria because they were Ghanaians, they were removed for living illegally in large number of which is a threat both security wise and economic wise. And it wasn't only Ghanaians that were deported, other nationals who were living illegally were removed too. Of recent, more than 30,000 illegal immigrants from Niger Republic has also been deported.
Also, Nigeria helped build Ghana Economy before deporting the illegal Ghanaian immigrants. Nigeria has never treated, badly, any member nation of Africa and world at large. It is actually Nigerians that are treated as refugees and animals in their own country. Look at Borno, millions of neglected people, go to SE of Nigeria, Army are slaughtering the people there. Go to Lagos,Yorubas want to chase Igbos away for no reason.Nigeria is not Xenophobic to foreigners

ehinmowo:
d fact is most Nigerians deal in illegal businesses in foreign countries.

if Nigeria is dt gud, u wudnt wnt 2 die in another man's land

Most Nigerians? ?? Seriously? That's not true.

EmeeNaka:
Nigeria govt fail the people. Nigerians are not refugees in South Africa and they're not illegal immigrants, so Nigerian case is not like Ghana case. As of today,there are millions of Ghanaians and Togolese in Nigeria taking up Nigeria jobs especially in construction but Nigerians are not complaining. South African industries are monopolizing Nigeria market and Nigerians are not rioting. If govt of South Africa fail to protect Nigerians, Nigeria govt should not fail her subjects. But it's unfortunate, Nigeria is an evil forest.

That's true.
Thanks.

PetroDolla3:
Stop talking nonsense! Did you say nigeria built Ghana's economy before deporting Ghanaians in the 1983s? That is a very stvpid thing to say,huh? Or you think some us were born yesterday?

Don't say things you know nothing about, mudder fugger!

You magg0ts deserve even worse treatment from south Africans! Utter crap!

with all due respect, I think you are wrong when you said Nigerians deserve worse treatment from south Africans. Two wrongs will never make a right and being treated badly does not make one somehow morally strong or good.

ehikwe22:
You're heartless to Compare Ghana must go to SA xenophobia. Ghana was the first to deport Nigerians for reasons best known to them. Nigerians reciprocated but in a completely unrelated event. Every country has the right to deport foreigners if they're not there in the best interest of the country. It's good to be welcoming and open armed but it's a personal decision. Deporting illegals shouldn't involve bloodshed and killings. That's just devilish and callous. Ghana and Nigeria didn't do their through killings. They allowed the government to do their job. Now, SA government is sponsoring the killing of foreigners yet they keep on granting visa to these foreigners. Does it mean they use the foreigners blood to worship their Zulu demons? Possibly yes

Wow very quick to jump into conclusion. I think you should read the full aarticle here;
http://afrikanist..com.ng/2017/02/south-africas-xenophobic-attack-and.html?m=1
before concluding.

PetroDolla3:
Stop talking nonsense! Did you say nigeria built Ghana's economy before deporting Ghanaians in the 1983s? That is a very stvpid thing to say,huh? Or you think some us were born yesterday?

Don't say things you know nothing about, mudder fugger!

You magg0ts deserve even worse treatment from south Africans! Utter crap!

don't allow yourself to be blinded by hatred. There is no basis of comparison between Nigeria Ghana must to SA xenophobia attacks. Didn't Ghana also deport Nigerians enmass before the Ghana must go saga? You know what makes your hateful comments look stupid? There were more Ghanaian victims than they were Nigerian victim in the 2015 attacks. Do you tomorrow? Ghanaians might be the big victims tomorrow

Zonacom:
Karma? Maybe. I remember Nigerians were quick to label the xenophobic South africans as lazy people. Now looking at the ghana-must-go saga of the past, is it safe to say that nigerians of that time were lazy too? I remember my great mathematics teacher in secondary school was a ghanian. Let's think before we point an accusing finger.

In 1969, Ghanaians did same to Nigeria.
Watch as SA get their own karma too.

First, It's delusional when South Africans try to justify lynching Nigerians, on the dumb premise that Nigerians are criminals.
There are South African criminals in prisons, abroad, drug dealers included... They weren't killed like animals.
Again, it's extremely disgraceful when people at this age call Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians ''Karma.''
Ghana first carried out that economic policy.
Ghana did it, first.
And Nigerians are good at payback.
Read, gain some bearing before exposing your ignorance on social media.

EmeeNaka:
Ghanaians were not removed from Nigeria because they were Ghanaians, they were removed for living illegally in large number of which is a threat both security wise and economic wise. And it wasn't only Ghanaians that were deported, other nationals who were living illegally were removed too. Of recent, more than 30,000 illegal immigrants from Niger Republic has also been deported.
Also, Nigeria helped build Ghana Economy before deporting the illegal Ghanaian immigrants. Nigeria has never treated, badly, any member nation of Africa and world at large. It is actually Nigerians that are treated as refugees and animals in their own country. Look at Borno, millions of neglected people, go to SE of Nigeria, Army are slaughtering the people there. Go to Lagos,Yorubas want to chase Igbos away for no reason.Nigeria is not Xenophobic to foreigners

You people have lied, still lying and will keeping lying till thy kingdom come. You, Nigeria helped build Ghanas economy before deportating Ghanaians. Same way you claim you used 61 billion dollars to help fight apartheid in South Africa.

I know yall feeling like America... You guys are really funny. I swear.
Your economy was in tatters due to low price of oil in international market as at the time of the deportation, go and check. So how did you build the economy...

The same thing South Africans are doing, Ghanaians did it earlier and we are ashamed of it... But even then we say we were not as civilized as we are now. Then Nigeria did it at a time when people were supposed to be more civilized than before. You claimed the foreigners were criminals, and prostitutes. If you were not xenophobic why didnt you fish out only Ghanaians for deportation so that it can be assumed you did it to also retaliate. But you chased away all foreigners including Ivorians, Togolese, malians, burkinabes etc, you beat some, you killed some, a lot died on their way to their countries due to hunger and suffocation at borders.

Nigerians are as xenophobic as south Africa, you just hide it, but we know you too well. Evil pretenders...

ChaosMagus:


You people have lied, still lying and will keeping lying till thy kingdom come. You, Nigeria helped build Ghanas economy before deportating Ghanaians. Same way you claim you used 61 billion dollars to help fight apartheid in South Africa.

I know yall feeling like America... You guys are really funny. I swear.
Your economy was in tatters due to low price of oil in international market as at the time of the deportation, go and check. So how did you build the economy...

The same thing South Africans are doing, Ghanaians did it earlier and we are ashamed of it... But even then we say we were not as civilized as we are now. Then Nigeria did it at a time when people were supposed to be more civilized than before. You claimed the foreigners were criminals, and prostitutes. If you were not xenophobic why didnt you fish out only Ghanaians for deportation so that it can be assumed you did it to also retaliate. But you chased away all foreigners including Ivorians, Togolese, malians, burkinabes etc, you beat some, you killed some, a lot died on their way to their countries due to hunger and suffocation at borders.

Nigerians are as xenophobic as south Africa, you just hide it, but we know you too well. Evil pretenders...

It's really funny how Africans are treated as 'foreigners' inside Africa. What an Irony. South Africans should stop the xenophobic attack on other Africans.

They should carry on, even Ghana can start their own too.

I believe there is no action without reaction

Whatch out for the reaction