The Igbo Community in Ghana has issued a strong rebuttal against recent accusations circulating on social media and local media platforms, which allege that their leader, Eze (Chief) Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, is attempting to establish an "Igbo kingdom" within Ghana through the acquisition of local land.

In an official press release, the community expressed shock over what they described as "unwarranted and unmeritorious accusations" against Chief Ihenetu, who was duly elected as the Eze Ndigbo na Ghana in 2013 by members of the Igbo community in Ghana.

According to the community, the tradition of appointing Igbo chiefs outside Nigeria stems from a global Igbo initiative to preserve the Igbo language and culture, following a United Nations warning that the language could face extinction within decades.

“In response to this prediction, Igbos in the diaspora began appointing community chiefs (Ezes) to promote cultural education, including the teaching of the Igbo language and customs,” the release noted.

Chief Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu emerged as the winner of a community election in 2013, defeating his opponent, Chief Geoffrey Mokwugwo, with 97% of the votes cast.

His leadership, the group said, has since brought cultural pride, law-abiding values, and economic contributions to Ghana through events such as the annual Igbo New Yam Festival.

Central to the controversy is the claim that the Igbo community, under Chief Ihenetu’s leadership, has acquired 50 acres of land in Ningo for the establishment of an “Igbo village.”

The community firmly denied this assertion.

“We unequivocally and without reservation state that we have not acquired any land in Ningo or elsewhere in Ghana for the purpose of establishing an Igbo village,” the statement read.

The confusion appears to stem from a 2013 interview following Chief Ihenetu's coronation, where the idea of such a project was discussed.

The community clarified that those plans were abandoned in 2014 due to disputes over land ownership.

“At present, no plot of land has been earmarked or acquired for this purpose,” they emphasised.

The Igbo Community stressed its respect for Ghana’s culture, traditions, and legal system, noting that many Igbos, including their leader, are integrated into Ghanaian society through business and intermarriage.

Chief Ihenetu himself is married to a Ghanaian woman from the Central Region.

“We are not struggling for Ghanaian kingship, land, or cultural dominance,” the statement affirmed. “Our goal is to teach our children and spouses the Igbo language and tradition, not to impose our culture on Ghanaians.”

In concluding the press release, the community urged the Ghanaian public and authorities to disregard the “calculated mischief” of bloggers and individuals attempting to stir division.

“We plead with the Ghanaian government, traditional institutions, and citizens to see these accusations for what they are — baseless attempts to create discord,” the release said.

The Igbo Community reiterated their loyalty to Ghana, expressing a desire to maintain the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.

“May God bless both our nations and our unity,” the statement concluded.