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By Oscar Okhifo
Hundreds of Ghanaians have taken to the streets in Accra and parts of the Eastern Region of the country to protest the installation of a Nigerian national, Chukwudi Ihenetu, as the “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana,” a symbolic traditional leader representing the Igbo community in the country.
The protest, held with banners bearing such messages like “No Foreign Thrones in Ghana” and “Honour Our Heritage,” drawing attention to what demonstrators described as an attempt to undermine Ghana’s chieftaincy system by recognizing a foreign royal figure on Ghanaian soil.
Eze Ihenetu, who has held the title for several years, has clarified that his role is purely cultural and not political.
Speaking on the controversy, he said, “We have no political authority or territorial claim. This is purely cultural and intended to unify the Igbo community in Ghana.”
However, the installation ceremony and images of his palatial and lavish palace in Accra sparked outrage, especially after a viral video emerged showing Ghanaian media personality, Captain Smart, kneeling before the Igbo leader in public.
Public anger was further aroused after claims surfaced that a 50-acre expanse of land in Old Ningo was being considered for the establishment of an “Igbo Kingdom” in Ghana.
While these reports remain unverified, they have led to renewed calls for clarity from the Government.
“We are not against the Igbo people or any other community,” one protester said. “But Ghanaian land and traditions cannot be handed over to foreign monarchs. We have our own chiefs and systems. We won’t allow this here. Never!”
So far, the Ghanaian Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs have not issued any official response. However, protesters are demanding clear guidelines on whether foreign nationals can be legally recognized as traditional rulers within Ghana’s territory.
Many fear that such recognitions, if left unchecked, could lead to the emergence of parallel traditional structures that might threaten the authority of Ghana’s indigenous chieftaincy system.
A similar controversy erupted in Akure, Ondo State, a few years ago during the tenure of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, when residents protested the establishment of an “Eze Ndigbo” palace in the city. The protesters argued that such a move was a disrespect to their cultural heritage, insisting that only the Deji of Akure holds traditional sovereignty over the land.