19/07/2025
In 1983, Ghana experienced a large-scale expulsion of its citizens from Nigeria, an event often referred to as "Ghana Must Go". This event is also associated with a distinctive checkered plastic bag, also known as the "Ghana Must Go" bag, which was widely used by Ghanaians to carry their belongings during their forced departure.
The expulsion was rooted in a series of factors, including economic hardship in Nigeria, which led to increased resentment towards foreign workers, particularly Ghanaians. Tensions were also fueled by the influx of Ghanaians into Nigeria following a coup in Ghana in 1972, as well as earlier expulsions of Nigerians from Ghana in 1954. The 1983 expulsion was a significant event in the history of migration between the two countries, and it continues to be remembered for the hardship and disruption it caused.
The "Ghana Must Go" bag, which became a symbol of this mass migration, is a sturdy, checkered plastic bag that was readily available and affordable. While it's a practical item for carrying belongings, its association with the 1983 expulsion gives it a deeper significance in West African history and culture.
