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The True Story of Ghana Must Go Exodus in 1983

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Ghana Must Go bags

Growing up in Nigeria, Ghana and some other neighbouring countries, you must have heard of the popular term “Ghana Must Go“. Yes! It is the name of a commonly used bag for storing belongings or packing loads when travelling.

But have you ever wondered why this bag, called “Chinatown tote” in the USA and “Tuekenkoffer” in Germany, is called “Ghana Must Go” in Nigeria and Ghana? Well, someone did not just sit and coin a name for the bag, a real-life incident that happened in Nigeria back in 1983 named the bag Ghana Must Go…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

Ghanaians on their way to Ghana

The Origin of Ghana Must Go

In 1983, during the democratic regime of President Sheu Shagari, the federal government of Nigeria ordered a mass deportation of illegal immigrants living in Nigeria due to the atrocities many of them were reportedly committing in the country.

More than half of those deported were Ghanaians who had come to Nigeria in search of better living in the 1970s when Nigeria was experiencing oil boom while Ghana, on the other hand, was witnessing political and economic hardship.

But the Nigerian government did not just wake up one day to expel over 2 million Africans from Nigeria, there were certain factors (one mentioned above) that culminated in the expulsion.

Nigeria and Ghana are good allies and have been maintaining their relationship before independence till today. But this friendship was threatened in the 1980s during the regime of the Ghanaian Head of State, Flight Lieutenant Jerry J. Rawlings and the Nigerian President, Alhaji Sheu Shagari.

Both African leaders were not in good terms and this was because President Shagari was a good friend of Ghana’s former president, Hilla Limann, whom Rawlings overthrew his government.

Refugees leaving Nigeria wait at the boarder to enter Benin as part of their journey back to Ghana (Photo by Michel Setboum/Getty Images)
NIGERIA – 1983: Refugees leaving Nigeria wait at the border to enter Benin as part of their journey back to Ghana (Photo by Michel Setboum/Getty Images)

This deteriorated the Ghana-Nigeria relationship to the extent that in 1982, Rawlings raised an alarm that Shagari wanted to help Limann overthrow his government, and in response, Nigeria stopped the shipping of crude oil on a loan deal to Ghana. As this beef continued between the government, so did it go on among the citizens.

Maitastine Uprising of 1980

The foreigners in Nigeria were seriously threatening the peace of the country and Nigerians were not ready to take that. The situation began heating up in 1980 when a Cameroonian expatriate named Muhammed Marwa alias Maitastine spearheaded a religious uprising (Maitastine Uprising of 1980) that led to the death of many people.

Maitastine was an illegal immigrant like many of his followers who were from Burkina Faso, Niger and Cameroon. This uprising is considered the second most tragic event in Nigeria after the Biafran war.

Maitatsine
Maitatsine captured by military men

It should also be noted that there had existed an old wound in the Nigeria-Ghana relationship back in 1969 when the Ghanaian government effected the Alien’s Compliance Order. Nigerians and other African immigrants were deported on the claim that Ghana was in recession.

The Last Straw

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the robbery at Ekwueme’s house. Alexander Ekwueme, the then Nigerian Vice President, was robbed by a group of armed robbers which consisted mainly of expatriates. When the robbers were caught by the police, it was discovered that two of them were Ghanaian.

This sent the whole of Nigeria crazy. Instant action was taken by the Nigerian government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On the 17th of January, 1983, the Nigerian Minister of Internal Affairs, Alhaji Alli Baba, announced the immediate expulsion of all illegal immigrants in Nigeria within two weeks. President Sheu Shagari also added in a statement,

If they don’t leave, they should be arrested and tried, and sent back to their homes. Illegal immigrants under normal circumstances, should not be given any notice whatsoever. If you break a law, then you have to pay for it. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Panic gripped all foreigners without papers in Nigeria for it was the least expected action of the Nigerian government. Over 1 million Ghanaians were thrown into confusion and indecision. It was rumoured that the Federal government gave power to Nigerians to confront any alien after the ultimatum given to leave.

Ghana Must Go

This scared the expatriates and sent them fleeing with and without their luggage. Those who could pack their belongings used the biggest of bags available which happened to be the big bag which is now called Ghana must go.

Returning refugees at the Ghana border. (Photo by Michel Setboum/Getty Images)
NIGERIA – 1983: Refugees leaving Nigeria wait at the border to enter Benin (Photo by Michel Setboum/Getty Images)

This mass deportation met global criticisms. The act was condemned by many humanitarian organizations across the globe. The US Department of State said the expulsion order was “shocking and a violation of every imaginable human right.” All these did not make the Nigerian government reverse the order. It still bent on expelling all illegal immigrants in the country.

Also, there were claims that the “corruption-riddled” government of President Sheu Shagari ordered the deportation to divert attention from its shenanigans because an election was forthcoming. Truly, the Shagari government had to pull a stunt to divert the attention of Nigerians and win their votes.

Ghanaians trooped out en masse for they knew Nigeria was no longer safe for them. It was indeed a massive exodus that automatically rooted its feet in the history of Nigeria and Ghana. They (Ghanaians) camped at the Seme border as they waited to enter Benin Republic where they hoped to find a ship to Ghana.

OldNaija gathered that the land route through Togo was much preferable and convenient but the Ghanaian dictator, Jerry J Rawlings had closed the Ghana-Togo border due to an attempted coup in 1981. Togo also closed down its border with Benin in order to avoid refugee crises.

After some time, the Ghanaian military ruler, Jerry Rawlings, opened the Ghana-Togo border and left Togo no choice but to do the same with Benin Republic and allow refugees to flow across like water.

Jerry J Rawlings at Tema Habour during Ghana must go saga
Ghanaian Head of State, Jerry J Rawlings at Tema Habour with deported Ghanaians

It was indeed great news for the Ghanaian refugees. On getting home, they were welcomed by relatives and friends amidst tears. Jerry Rawlings also visited some of them at Tema harbour and assured them that his government would provide assistance in every possible way.

This is the real bitter story behind every ‘Ghana must go’ bag. However, it should be known that today, Nigeria and Ghana remain the best of friends as they let the past behind them. This is evident in the entertainment, sports and politics sectors of the two countries.

“History should not be used as an instrument of revenge but rather as a tool for preventing future mistakes.”

Teslim O. Omipidan

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Black Waitress Serves Clint Eastwood, Then He Gives Her A Note. Reading It, She Bursts Into Tears! –

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When Clint Eastwood sat in her section, she had no idea her world was about to turn upside down.

Mia adjusted her apron, glancing at the clock above the diner’s counter. It was nearing 7 p.m., the time when the dinner rush usually tapered off, leaving a slower pace to wind down her shift. For most, the little diner tucked off the highway was just a pit stop—a place to grab a meal before continuing their journey. For Mia, it was her lifeline. At 28, she balanced long hours here with raising her six-year-old son, Jordan. Each tip and every paycheck went toward keeping their modest apartment and paying for Jordan’s growing list of school supplies. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

She moved gracefully from table to table, her warm smile a shield against the exhaustion clawing at her. The regulars knew her story, or parts of it. A few would slip an extra dollar or two when they could, but Mia never asked for sympathy. She had learned early on that the world wasn’t fair, and her only choice was to keep moving forward…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

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Little Girl Was Living Alone In A House After Her Parents Died. Her New Neighbors Saw This –

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This is the story of a teenage girl who found herself alone in a rusted, weathered house after the death of her parents. But when new neighbors moved in, something extraordinary happened one night.

Lily Miller, an 18-year-old, woke up in the middle of the night. She couldn’t sleep, her mind filled with memories of her parents, who had tragically passed away in a car accident six months ago. Ever since that day, Lily had been living by herself in the house her parents built in a quiet area on the outskirts of California. Although life was tough, she was determined not to end up in an orphanage. With that resolve, she decided to look for a job…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

However, finding work proved to be more challenging than she expected. Days turned into weeks without success. Then, one morning, while walking along a sidewalk, Lily stumbled upon a wallet lying on the ground. She picked it up and noticed it contained a large sum of money. Without hesitation, she sought out the owner and returned it to him.

“Thank you so much. It’s rare to meet someone as honest as you. How can I repay your kindness?” said the man, introducing himself as Mr. Roberts.

Lily hesitated but eventually shared her story. Deeply moved, Mr. Roberts offered her a job at his restaurant. Lily accepted his offer with heartfelt gratitude. She worked hard, and it wasn’t long before Mr. Roberts grew fond of her diligence and sincerity.

Lily continued living in her parents’ house because it was close to the restaurant. One night, she noticed that the door to the house next door was open, signaling that new tenants had moved in. The following morning, before heading to work, Lily decided to visit and introduce herself.

When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. She was about to call out when a thin, pale little girl appeared. Lily felt slightly uneasy but managed a smile.

“Hi, I’m your neighbor. I noticed your door was open, so I came by to say hello,” Lily said kindly.

A young man standing just behind the girl stepped forward and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Hi, I’m Andrew, and this is my younger sister, Emma. It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “I’ve been making some food for my mom; she’s really sick.”

Lily’s heart softened as she realized the siblings had to stay home to care for their ill mother. After chatting for a short while, Lily excused herself and headed to work.

That same day marked an important milestone for Lily—her first paycheck. At the end of her shift, Mr. Roberts handed her a brown envelope. Excited, Lily opened it but was surprised to find more money than she expected. Confused, she went to his office to thank him.

Mr. Roberts smiled kindly and said, “It’s all right, Lily. You remind me of my daughter.”

His voice was calm but heavy with emotion, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. Lily was taken aback. She didn’t understand why he was crying, so she later shared the incident with a coworker. That’s when she learned the truth.

More than 20 years ago, Mr. Roberts had a daughter named Maria. After a heated argument, she ran away with her irresponsible fiancé. Despite searching for her, Mr. Roberts never found her again. Years turned into decades, but his grief and guilt never faded.

Hearing his story filled Lily with empathy. That evening, as she walked home, her thoughts shifted to her new neighbors. She knew life wasn’t easy for them, so she stopped by a store to buy some food.

When Lily arrived at their house, Andrew and Emma were surprised and touched by her gesture. For the first time in a while, they had a nutritious meal. Later that night, Andrew opened up to Lily. He shared how he, Emma, and their mother had moved to this town, hoping for a fresh start.

“Our father squandered the family’s savings on alcohol and abandoned us,” Andrew explained. “To support us, my mom worked tirelessly until her health deteriorated. The doctors said she needs surgery, but we don’t have the money. I would get a job, but I have to take care of her and my sister every day.”

Lily felt a deep sense of pity. She realized she wasn’t the only one going through difficult times. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Then, looking at Andrew with determination, she promised to do something to help his mother.

Andrew, unsure of what she could do, simply nodded.

The next morning, Lily went to Mr. Roberts’s office, her eyes brimming with tears. She explained her neighbor’s situation, describing the urgency of the mother’s operation, and then asked for a loan.

“I’ll pay you back little by little with my salary,” she said earnestly.

The elderly man listened quietly. After a long pause, he spoke in a calm voice.

“I’ll help this poor woman. I know what it’s like to face such struggles. Don’t worry; I’ll have my manager transfer the money directly to the hospital’s account.” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Lily was overwhelmed with gratitude. Unable to hold back her emotions, she hugged Mr. Roberts tightly. The old man, moved by her kindness, wiped away tears as he embraced her in return.

That night, Lily couldn’t wait to share the good news with Andrew. However, when she arrived at their house, she found Andrew and Emma looking distraught.

“My mom’s really sick, and we need to take her to the clinic,” little Emma said, her voice trembling.

In that moment, Lily knelt down to Emma’s level and smiled. “It’s going to be okay,” she reassured her. “I found the money for your mom’s surgery. She’ll be fine soon.”

Emma’s eyes lit up, and the siblings hugged Lily tightly, their faces filled with relief and hope.

True to his word, Mr. Roberts transferred the money to the hospital the very next day. A few days later, the doctors performed the operation. It was a success, and their mother’s health began to improve steadily.

Feeling immense gratitude, Andrew accompanied Lily to Mr. Roberts’s office to thank him. As soon as Andrew stepped into the room, his expression changed.

“What’s wrong, young man? Is everything okay with your mother?” Mr. Roberts asked, his face showing concern.

Andrew hesitated. “I don’t know how to say this, but I think I’ve seen you somewhere before. My mom gave me a photo before her surgery. Let me go get it.”

Andrew rushed home, retrieved the photo, and brought it back to show Mr. Roberts. When the elderly man looked at the picture, his face turned pale, and he clutched his chest.

It was a photo of himself as a younger man, standing beside his wife on their wedding day—a photo that had disappeared the day his daughter left home.

Overwhelmed, Mr. Roberts turned to Andrew and asked, “What’s your mother’s name?”

“My mother’s name is Maria Smith,” Andrew replied.

Lily gasped in shock, covering her mouth as Mr. Roberts moved closer to Andrew and embraced him tightly.

As you might imagine, Andrew was confused. But after hearing the owner’s heartbreaking story, everything became clear. His mother, Maria, was the long-lost daughter Mr. Roberts had been searching for all these years.

When the truth was revealed, Mr. Roberts wasted no time visiting his daughter at the hospital. The moment he saw her, he was speechless.

“My God, sweetheart, is it really you? It’s been so long. I’ve missed you so much,” he said, tears streaming down his face as he hugged her tightly.

Maria, recognizing her father, began to cry as well. Holding his hands, she apologized, and he did the same. In that moment, they reconciled, their years of pain melting away.

Mr. Roberts realized then that hiring Lily was a blessing. After so many years, she had reunited him with his daughter and introduced him to his two grandchildren.

For Lily, her bond with Andrew grew even stronger. Over time, they continued to see each other, and a few years later, they got married—a union that brought immense joy to Mr. Roberts and Maria.

At their wedding, Mr. Roberts stood up to speak.

“Who would have thought that a chance meeting could change my life forever? I don’t believe it was a coincidence that we met; I think it was meant to be. You might think I’ve done a lot for you, Lily, but the truth is, you’ve done far more for me than you could ever imagine. Thank you, and welcome to the family. I’m so proud to call you both my family.”

And so, Lily’s life, once marked by loss and loneliness, transformed into one filled with love, family, and new beginnings.

 

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The waitress was fired for saving the old man. But his son showed up and did IT! –

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The usual bustle reigned in the cozy restaurant on the corner of a quiet street. Customers enjoyed their food, and waiters scurried between tables, serving food and drinks. Among them was a young girl named Anya, a kind-hearted and sympathetic waitress who always tried to help every visitor.

That evening, her attention was attracted by an elderly man sitting by the window. He looked tired, and at one point, his face contorted in pain. Anya noticed how he grabbed his chest and immediately left the tray with the order, rushing to him.

“Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling down next to his chair…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

The man could barely answer. His breathing became ragged, and his skin turned pale. Without wasting a second, Anya called an ambulance and tried to calm the man down, holding his hand.

But her noble deed did not go unnoticed by the restaurant administrator, Ivan. He flew up to the girl, seething with anger.

“What are you doing?!” he shouted. “You have work to do! Visitors are waiting for their orders, and you are doing nonsense! It’s not your concern!”

Anya, stunned by this reaction, tried to explain: “But he feels bad! He needs help, and this is more important…”

“Shut up!” Ivan interrupted her. “You’re fired! Pack your things and leave!”

The girl, having difficulty holding back her tears, returned to the utility room to change clothes. At this time, a man entered the restaurant, whose appearance changed the entire course of events. It was Alexey Vladimirovich, the owner of the establishment. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Seeing him, the administrator immediately rushed to him with a greeting, but Alexey’s attention was attracted by the picture: the doctors who had already arrived were helping his father—the same elderly man whom Anya was helping.

“What’s going on here?” Alexey asked sternly.

The doctors explained that if it had not been for the prompt reaction of the young waitress, the situation could have ended much worse. Alexey turned to Ivan.

“And why do I hear that you fired her because she saved my father?”

Ivan began to make excuses, but the owner was adamant. “You’re fired. Take your things and leave.

Anya,” he turned to the girl, “come back, please. And… if you don’t mind, I would like to offer you the position of administrator. A person like you deserves better.”

Anya, stunned but happy, agreed. Since that day, the restaurant has changed. With the new administrator in the person of Anya, it has become an even cozier and more sincere place where people came not only for delicious food but also for warmth and care.

 

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