In a bid to promote peace among Nigerians living in Ghana, with their host community, the Eze Ndigbo Ghana, HRH Eze Dr Chukwudi Ihenetu visited Tema Region where he met Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP Barima Tweneboah Sarraku the 2nd.
In his entourage were palace chiefs and regional Ezes who accompanied him on the peace mission.
Speaking to the media, Eze Ihenetu said he was glad to be in Tema. In his words, he said: “On behalf of palace of Ndigbo in Ghana, we so much appreciate your hospitality towards Nigerians living in Ghana.
From our office, we always tell our people to be law abidding. That when you go to Rome you behave like Romans, that when you come to Ghana, you work according to the law of the land. Dont commit crime. If any Nigerian commit any crime here, let the law handle the crime. In every crime, there is law. that adress it. I can not tell the country to condone the excesses of Nigerians who commits crime. If you commit any crime here, the law will treat you according to the rules of the land.
But I also want to let you know that Nigerians are not criminals. there is no how a country of over 200 milion you wont find few black sheeps. That attitudes of few bad eggs does not make majority law abidding Nigerians criminals.
All over the world, not everyone is Saint.. so when any one commits offense, let him face the law.
While emphasizing area of common interest, the royal father said: “Nigerians in Gahna came here to support the growth of the economy. Likewise Ghanians in Nigeria are also supporting our economy backhome.
Nigerians are hardworking people. Anywhere we find ourselves, we try to make a difference by contributing to the economic prosperity of our host community. If Ghanians do not welcome us, i doubt if we would be here carrying on our trades. So I want to thank Ghanian people for their hospitality. I would like to let you know that Nigerians are the best people in the world and you will enjoy living with them.”
In his interview with newsmen,, DCOP Barima said it is a welcome development that Nigerian leaders show concern about the welfare of their people.
“From time to time their leaders attend security meetings where issues that promote peaceful coexistence are discussed. We have issues with trade, overstaying in the country and few who engaged in unwholesome activities. With this meeting, there is going to be collaboratin. Anytime their people are arrested, things will easily be sorted out.
On how he has been dealing with crimes that concern foreigners, The police chief said it has been worrisome but through meetings like this, things will be handled more easily.
While presenting a plaque to the police chief, Eze Ihenetu said it is Igbo tradition to always leave interesting marks behind anytime the palace visits dignitaries like DCOP Barima.
“On behalf of Igbo In Ghana, Igbo in the region and Nigerians in general, we present this plaque to you”
Responding, the police chief thanked Eze Ihenetu for his visit and the gift.
He said as insitution in the enforcement of law, the cooperation between them will continue for good.”
While addressing the police chief, Eze Ihenetu said “We Nigerians that livea here in Ghana are very much happy with the ways Ghanians welcome us here.
Nigerians living in Ghana see the country as our second home. We see Ghana as a place where our children are comfortable and we are not living here just to get our daily bread and go home, without blessing the land where we live in. We are here to support the economic growth of Ghana and create economic impact in the economy sector. we Igbo are very good in business, trading and many other areas so long it is legitimate.
You can bear me witness that we are very hardworking. We never worked against the law of the land. even if there are areas of few misunderstanding where few breaks the law, you dont see the leaders supporting such erring ones.
We have a lot of sons and daughters living here in your region. I and my cabinet are representing them. Our people are law abidding but sometimes misunderstanding arose especially with the trade unions. Ghana police have tried their best to protect Nigerians In all parts of Ghana including Tema. Last time, issue of closing of shops happened here and Ghana Police rose to the ocassion protecting Nigerians and their good.
“We applaud them and happy to see them protecting our people.
Thank God Ghana had a successful election and a new era is here, we dont know if what happened towards end of last year i.e locking of shops will happen again. ‘It is good that we plan how to harvest the rain in the dry season so that when the rain begins, we ‘ll have buckets to harvest it.’
So it is also good to meet you and your workers that sometimes issues like this may happen. So I am handing over our subjects, our people to you and thank God you are also a king and every king owe it as obligation to protect the subjects under his rulership. Every king must have difficult subjects and also loyal and obedient ones. I know with you, our people here are protected and safe. So we came to say congratulations on your new position and also came to hand over our people to your control and pray to God to give you long life and good health on this throne and to also thank Ghana Police for their good works.
In his response, DCOP Barima commended Eze Ihenetu for his sterling leadership quality which saw him delegating responsibility to elders and other chiefs to handle affairs in the regions. He said it is a honour for Ghana police to have an ambassador of Nigeria community in Tema. I am well at home with Igbo traditions and know that you came with palmwine. As a Ghanian and a chief, it is my responsibility to protect everybody in my area of jurisdictions. Even God our creator presides over good and bad people. He does not even kill all the bad people but rather mercifully allow them time of grace to repent. So we as traditional leaders imitiate God in his mercies and will like the few bad eggs to change for good.
“With your guidiance a lot of people will come to appreciate that Ghanians and Nigerians are brothers from different lands. in fact our cultures and traditions are similar.
We know as traders, Igbo are very versatile and we also learn from them. I once remember when I was in Umuahia, Abia State, South East Nigeria, and sombody spoke to me in Igbo and i couldnt understand and I ask him if he can come again and he say ‘na this people their father thief money carry go London to go study and they cant even speak their own language.’ We have so much resemblance in facial looks and colour that in the crowd, it will be difficult to diferentiate Igbo from a Ghanian.
What we know is that as a law enforcement agent, we do not differentiate people when they do wrong. Immediatly you go wrong, we take action to correct and restore order. It is in the cause of taking your statement that we come to know that this is Ghana or Nigerian.
We try to treat evrerybody with equal respect and allow the law to take its cause. When we discover that they are foreigners we immidiatly contact their leaders so that their welfare would be taken care of.
We will not hesitate to contact you anytime especially now that the spokesperson and Chief of staff is arround. We shall also make ways to visit you in your palace in the nearest future.”
