Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has cautioned Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, a Nigerian national who sparked controversy by claiming he intended to establish an “Igbo Kingdom” in Ghana.
The minister emphasized that while Ghana welcomes all, foreign nationals must strictly adhere to Ghanaian laws and customs and refrain from any actions that could be “unlawful, divisive, and incendiary”.
In a Facebook post, Mr Ablakwa confirmed that he had invited Ihenetu for a meeting to address the alarming claims. During the meeting, Ihenetu clarified that the viral video was an old interview from 2013, which he now “deeply regrets”.
He assured the minister that he had “long abandoned that idea and has not purchased any piece of land for that purpose.”
Ihenetu “conveyed profuse apologies to the President, Government, Chiefs and People of Ghana for the unfortunate agitations his rather ill-advised interview has created,” according to the minister’s post.
Mr Ablakwa underscored Ghana’s foundational principles during the discussion. “As I emphasised in the meeting, Ghana is exceptionally proud of its celebrated friendly foreign policy, which is welcoming of all to our beautiful and peaceful country, particularly Africans and people of African descent. We are determined to keep championing that Pan-African identity, for which we have attained global renown.”
However, he firmly added a crucial caveat: “We, however, expect all our fellow Africans and guests to adhere to our peaceful and law-abiding traditions and desist from conduct or pronouncements considered unlawful, divisive and incendiary even as they enjoy our famed hospitality.”
