A Cameroonian comedian was recently lamenting Nigeria’s victory over Angola after Nigeria defeated Cameroon a few days earlier. However, what surprised the skit maker Mr. Ndze, was Ghanaians’ lamentation. He was surprised that Ghanaians were angrier at the defeat to Angola than Angolans. This incident reminded me of how low the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana has become. Years ago, Ghana declared a public holiday after Nigeria won a FIFA-organized competition. Many Nigerian have said that they feel more at home in Ghana than in Nigeria. So, what happened?

In an age where the United States and China are competing in space exploration, manufacturing, science, and technology, Nigeria and Ghana are competing in Jollof rice and who speaks the best English. In a time where Britain and the United States cooperate and collaborate like supportive siblings, Nigeria and Ghana are promoting sibling rivalry in a way that is alien to our history and culture as Africans. I am still unable to pinpoint how this sibling rivalry started, but it must come to an end. We share too much in common to be engaged in the rivalry that has persisted in the last few years.

Any Nigerian who travels to Ghana will acknowledge our brotherhood in terms of the people, tribes, culture, music, food, and even the landscape. Just as sibling rivalry is toxic to siblings who should be cooperating and collaborating, national rivalry as presently practiced by Ghana and Nigeria has no benefit. The world is opening to African content in entertainment and other sectors. This is the time to harness this opening just as the Japanese and South Koreans collaborated after their wars to become the best electronics manufacturers in the world. We must drop all pettiness, envy, and jealousy if we want to conquer the world in the ways we can.

Ata Ukuta, Editor, Towncryyers.