For over 15 years, I’ve lived and worked in Tema, Ghana—not as a visitor, but as a builder. I’ve launched media platforms, empowered creatives, and connected brands across borders. But beneath the success lies a painful truth: within our own Nigerian diaspora in Ghana, a quiet divide has grown louder. And it’s time we confront it.
In Tema, many affluent Nigerians have distanced themselves from their fellow countrymen who are still striving. The result? Exclusion, emotional abuse, and a culture of silence that erodes unity. While cities like Kasoa, Ashaiman, and Lapaz foster solidarity among Nigerian migrants, Tema has become a mirror of internal division—where wealth breeds isolation and status replaces support. This is not just a social issue. It’s a civic emergency.
That’s why I’m making a public plea to Citizen Check International, through its Ghana-based civic media platform NSEM PII, to step in and support a proposed Diaspora Unity Summit in Tema. Citizen Check has long stood as a fearless watchdog for justice, transparency, and community accountability. From exposing inefficiencies in public institutions to amplifying the voices of the unheard, their work has shaped civic discourse in Tema and beyond. Now, we need that same courage and clarity applied to the Nigerian diaspora.
It’s important to recognize that Citizen Check International is already working sizelessly, without rest or bias and to ensure equality, understanding, and civic responsibility among Nigerians in Ghana. Through NSEM PII Ghana, they are:
– Promoting inclusive narratives that highlight both the struggles and successes of Nigerians in Tema
– Creating platforms for dialogue between the affluent and the striving
– Fishing out the “bad eggs.” Those whose actions damage the reputation of the broader diaspora community
– Holding individuals and institutions accountable for discrimination, abuse, or exploitation
Their work is not just about exposure—it’s about education, reform, and healing.
The proposed Diaspora Unity Summit will serve as a platform for:
– Mentorship and class healing among Nigerians in Ghana
– Policy dialogue with institutions like TMA (Tema Metropolitan Assembly) and TDC Ghana Ltd
– Civic storytelling through NSEM PII Ghana to document exclusion and resilience
– Strategic partnerships for housing, employment, and youth empowerment
This summit isn’t about blame—it’s about building bridges. It’s about restoring dignity, mentorship, and solidarity among Nigerians in Ghana.
We also call on Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and Tema Development Corporation (TDC Ghana Ltd) to recognize the social dynamics affecting Nigerian residents. Housing access, business licensing, and civic participation must be inclusive—not reserved for the elite. Citizen Check’s involvement can help ensure these institutions respond with fairness, transparency, and urgency.
Let this be the moment we rewrite the narrative. Let’s mentor, not mock. Let’s uplift, not isolate. Let’s build a Nigerian diaspora in Ghana that reflects our best selves—not just our bank accounts. Citizen Check International, you’ve stood for civic truth. Now, we ask you to extend that same courage to this urgent cause. Help us build a bridge between the affluent and the striving—before the divide becomes permanent.
Kyrian Chikay is a Tema-based entertainment journalist, media strategist, and host of the Celebrity Lookup Show. He is the CEO of Kyrian Chikay Inc., a creative agency focused on diaspora empowerment, civic engagement, and brand storytelling. With over 15 years of experience in Ghana’s media and cultural landscape, Kyrian is committed to building sustainable platforms for African creatives and bridging class divides within the diaspora.
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