Xenophobic sentiments rise against Nigerians in Ghana following viral torture videos of abducted hairdresser

Xenophobic rhetoric against Nigeria is mounting on social media in Ghana following the viral videos of the torture of a local hairdresser and event decorator, Ama Serwaa Konadu, who was abducted while going to her place of work in Ghana on April 22, 2025.

The abductors of the lady stripped her completely bare, with her hands and legs tied and her mouth gagged as they used the flat side of a machete to beat her all over her body in a bid to stampede her family to provide a ransom of GH¢500,000 (about N52m) for her release.

One of the kidnappers, who was masked, said they were in Nigeria, giving room for speculation that the lady was abducted and transferred to Nigeria or that she went to Nigeria to meet a boyfriend she met online.

As a result of this, there is a growing resentment towards Nigerians living in Ghana, and this is already reflecting all over the social media.

Some Ghanaians are openly expressing xenophobic sentiments against Nigeria and Nigerians, with some already suggesting taking drastic actions against Nigerians living among them.

However, some Ghanaians have also been speaking out against such sentiments.

One of them is an alumnus of Akumfi Ameyaw SHS, Johnny Addai, who cautioned his compatriots against jumping to conclusions.

Johnny Addai, who lives in Bologna, Italy, wrote on Facebook: “As a Ghanaian who has lived in Nigeria before, the tongue of the kidnapper in that video didn’t sound Nigerian, it was a pure Ghanaian tone. Nigerians don’t speak that way.”

Cyril Teddy also cautioned: “This guy’s re Ghanians and not Nigerians”

Those appealing for restraint are, however, in the minority. The majority are trying to mobilise violence against Nigerians in Ghana.

One William Hayford wrote on a Telegram platform:

“It’s about time we start torturing these Nigerians in Ghana too for them to know that hospitality has a limit.

What kind bullshit be this that they can come and do their ashawo and fraud life here in comfort whilst our honest hardworking people there are getting tortured. Its about time we also do Nigeria must go”

Another Ghanaian wrote on Facebook:

“It’s time for them to pack and return to their motherland as it happened sometime ago. Wicked people who are fortunate to be in my noble country called Ghana has started misbehaving.”

Adam Mohammed: “Just be careful with some Nigerians in Town”

Sitor Richard: “This is what will be happening to our lady even though i am a man but so afraid of Nigerian person either Man or woman. I saw the videos, and I can tell those guys are cruel, even if they received that money, they’re likely to kill the woman, if care is not taken, I pray God intervene”

Myke Educate: “Then when u do same to them, some foolish person will reply your comments with idiotmatic expressing. Masa an eye for eye tooth for tooth”

Akyeamehene D: “What are the Nigerians still doing in Ghana”

Ikemefuna Samuel: “With some reckless comments I’ve been reading from some ignorant Ghanaians, are these guys really aware there are a whole loads of Ghanaian community living peacefully in Nigeria.

A kidnapping issue has nothing to do with Nigerians, but a crime perpetuated by unmasked criminals.

Allow the agencies of both countries to work fish the criminals out and stop judging, every country have people birth with criminal tendencies. All Nigerians and all Ghanaians are not bad but we all have bad ones among us it’s a fact”

Milo Mercury: “Chase these Animals out of beautiful Ghana”

Cindy Maccarthy: “If Nigerians 🇳🇬 will bring this act of kidnapping to Ghana 🇬🇭 then the president must chase all of them out of Ghana what nonsense…I trust Ghana people they will soon get hold of them”.

You can read the earlier story on this issue and watch the videos here.