This caution follows the demolition of an uncompleted building on the property of the Nigerian High Commission by armed men in Accra about four years ago.

Speaking during a ceremony to hand over the reconstructed structure to the Nigerian authorities, the foreign affairs minister stated that the government of Ghana is committed to providing a safe space for international missions in the country.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to advise that diplomatic missions residing in Ghana periodically review their documents to ensure that they are properly registered and regularized. I say this because it was one of the issues we discovered when this incident occurred,” Ms. Shirley explained.

“And it’s not an excuse, and it can never be an excuse for the unfortunate demolition that took place. But we found that, unfortunately, the Nigerian High Commission had not regularized their documents,” she added.

At the handover ceremony, the Nigerian government expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian authorities for their “timely intervention,” which helped calm the nerves of Nigerians and Ghanaians who were concerned about the potential deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Chimezie Ogu, Director for Nigeria’s Foreign Service Academy, who delivered the remarks on behalf of Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, further explained that during the height of the incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana assured them that the building would be restored to its original state—a promise that has been fulfilled after four years.

“I have been properly briefed that the building has been restored to its original state: a block of four (4) bedroom flats to accommodate the staff of the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Accra. The reconstructed building represents more than just a physical structure. It embodies the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that defines our relationship,” Ambassador Ogu said.

This, he added, explains why the Nigerian High Commission has remained silent on compensation for the significant financial loss it incurred due to the demolished building.

According to Ambassador Ogu, the Mission has spent thousands of US dollars renting accommodations for its staff members.

“We appreciate Ghana’s efforts to address the issues surrounding the demolition, including the establishment of a committee to identify the intruders and the commitment to engage with Nigerian officials at the highest level,” the ambassador added.

The government of Ghana is hopeful that in the years to come, it will “deepen” its bonds with Nigeria to promote mutual progress for both countries and all of Africa.

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A lady, who was heard talking in the background of a video shared online, said the flag was pulled down by older Nigerians who joined the protest. 

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Its Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement described the demolition of the building as a huge contempt.

According to the party, the presidency could have stopped through engagements at the highest level of diplomatic relations, adding he failed as a result of sheer incompetence and incapacity to articulate their national pride before other world leaders.

 It lamented the embarrassing situation in Ghana had again highlighted the poor rating of the Buhari Presidency by other nations, making reference to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

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“The Buhari administration exhibited unpardonable weakness and failed to protect innocent Nigerians who were being killed in violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa last year,” it recalled.

However, it has charged President Buhari to wake up to both his domestic and international responsibilities.

Read the full statement below:

Press Statement

Demolition of Embassy: Buhari APC Have Brought Shame to Nigeria – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the demolition of the Nigeria Embassy in Ghana has further shown how Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) incompetence has destroyed the respect and honour other nations had for our country.

The party said that the embarrassing situation in Ghana has again highlighted the poor rating of the Buhari Presidency by other nations, exposed its lack of capacity to exude our nation pride as well as its failure to meaningfully engage other world leaders on diplomatic issues.

The PDP described as disheartening that since the incident. President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC have not demonstrated the littlest effort to preserve our nation’s integrity, beyond the tepid statements by our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema.

Our party holds that the demolition of our nation’s embassy is a huge contempt, which the Buhari Presidency could have stopped through engagements at the highest level of diplomatic relations, but failed as a result of sheer incompetence and incapacity to articulate our national pride before other world leaders.

This situation has further explained why attacks on Nigerians and Nigerian interests in foreign lands had escalated under the Buhari administration, with Nigerians being harassed and killed in various parts of the world by assailants, who take advantage of the incompetence and weaknesses of the current government in Nigeria.

The PDP particularly recalls how the Buhari administration exhibited unpardonable weakness and failed to protect innocent Nigerians who were being killed in violent xenophobic attacks in South Africa last year.

The PDP therefore calls on President Buhari to wake up both to his domestic and international responsibilities and save our nation from further embarrassing situations across the globe.

Signed

Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary

The building was being constructed to house staff and visiting diplomats to the High Commission.

JoyNews editor, Fred Smith, who was at the scene, said the men threatened to shoot staff of the embassy who were present at the scene if they interfere in their operations.

According to the head of security at the High Commission, Emmanuel Kabutey, the leader of the team that came to demolish the building told them they had the backing of National Security and that “if any of us try, he will clear us off.”

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Mr Kabutey complained about the lackluster attitude of the police in handling the situation.

“When the police came, they did not come to us or any other person but rather went straight to the man [leader of the armed men] they had a friendly chat, exchanged numbers with him and allowed him to go.

“When they came back in, they took pictures but did not ask me or my boys anything,” he lamented.

The Acting High Commissioner, who was present when the incident happened, is said to be terrified and has gone into hiding.