The recent installation of Nigerian traditional ruler Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu as “Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana” (King of the Igbo People in Ghana) has sparked widespread protests and public outcry across Accra and parts of Ghana’s Eastern Region. Youth groups and cultural advocates have led demonstrations, carrying placards with messages such as “No Foreign Thrones in Ghana” and “Honour Our Heritage,” arguing that the presence of a foreign monarch undermines Ghana’s sovereignty and traditional chieftaincy institutions.
The controversy intensified after photos of Eze Ihenetu’s elaborate palace in Accra, adorned with regal emblems and traditional architecture, circulated on social media. Critics fear that the establishment of such foreign thrones could set a precedent for parallel leadership structures within Ghana. Unconfirmed reports also suggest plans to establish a 50-acre “Igbo kingdom” in Old Ningo, further fueling suspicion, although no official evidence has been provided.
Public debate was further inflamed by a viral video showing Ghanaian broadcaster Captain Smart kneeling before Eze Ihenetu during a ceremony. The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has been called upon to clarify whether Ghanaian law permits foreigners to hold royal titles on Ghanaian soil.
In response, Eze Chukwudi Ihenetu has defended his role as purely ceremonial, aimed at uniting and representing the Igbo community in Ghana without any political authority or territorial ambitions. The protests reflect deep concerns about cultural identity, national sovereignty, and the boundaries of foreign community leadership within Ghana.