XENOPHOBIC RECIPROCITY AND NIGERIA-GHANA RELATIONS

EKANEM ASUKWO EKANEM (Ph.D)

Department of Political Science

Faculty of Social Sciences

Federal University Wukari,

Taraba State, Nigeria.

Email: ekanem4ekanem@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study on “Xenophobic Reciprocity and Nigeria-Ghana Relations”, aimed at exploring the dynamics of xenophobic reciprocity as it affected Nigeria-Ghana relations. Descriptive research that anchored on the judgmental sampling technique was adopted in the study. Secondary source (books, journal articles, conference papers, monographs including internet materials) of data collection were sourced from Nigerian libraries and internet. This study subjected the secondary data to content validity before its qualitative adoption. Notwithstanding the fact that relative – deprivation theory has advanced the knowledge on xenophobic reciprocity as it impacted on Nigeria-Ghana relations, the retaliatory policies continued unabated. Findings revealed that, poverty, unemployment and criminality are the fundamental reasons for xenophobic reciprocity in Nigeria-Ghana relations. It also indicated that, implementation of Alien Compliance Order of 1969, Nigeria Immigration Law of 1983, Decree No. 4 of 1984, Ghana Investment Promotion Council Act of 1994 as well as 2004 Presidential Prohibition Order on 96 Ghanaian products had brought untold hardship to private citizens of both countries. The demolition of Nigeria’s High Commission in Accra on 19^th June, 2020 triggered outrage even though it has not resulted in diplomatic boycott between Nigeria and Ghana, according to findings. In order to avert future xenophobic reciprocity, the study recommends good governance, constructive engagement as well as economic cooperation.

Keywords: Xenophobic, reciprocity, bilateral relations, relative deprivation, theory, Economic Cooperation.