$1m Trade Dispute: Traders’ Council, Association Commend Gbajabiamila’s Ghana Visit, Intervention 

Members of the Nigeria-Ghana Business Council and the Nigeria Union of Traders Association Ghana, have praised the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, over his recent trip to Accra to intervene in the trade dispute between Nigerian traders and the Ghanaian Government.

Tensions rose between Nigeria and its West African neighbour a few days back after Nigerian traders protested and complained alleged victimisation by the authorities in Accra over Ghana’s $1million business registration requirement imposed on foreigners.

Over 250 shops owned by Nigerians were also reportedly locked up, leaving the traders with no means of livelihood in the midst of the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

THE WHISTLER recalls that Gbajabiamila had travelled to Ghana last week to meet with the authorities, including the Parliament of Ghana and President Nana Akufo-Addo to intervene in the dispute.

In letters of appreciation the council and the traders wrote Gbajabiamila after the visit, they noted that his intervention had helped in finding solutions to the dispute.

For instance, the President of the Nigeria-Ghana Business Council, Omoba Bambo Ademiluyi, wrote, “It is on record that your trip brought about the highest involvement of both governments in this dispute that has been on since 2007.

“Your proposals and presentations have given rise to two very vital solutions to the problem: 1. The review of the GIPC Act demanding $1,000,000 deposit for foreign investors in Ghana as it concerns Nigerians. 2. The promotion of the Nigeria-Ghana Business Council backed by legislation to superintend on trade and business issues between the two countries.”

He added, “Our objectives and activities align with the proposal which is being introduced to superintend trade issues of the two countries.

“It is, therefore, our wish to express support for the formation of this council and request that we work with your team to see to a successful emergence of a government-backed Business Council.” 

The NUTAG, on the other hand, thanked the speaker for the efforts, but urged him not to slow down until the decisions taken during the visit were fully implemented.

The President of the group, Chief Chukwuemeka Nnaji, wrote Gbajabiamila on behalf of the members.

The Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Mr Lanre Lasisi, quoted part of Nnaji’s letter.

He wrote, “Your Excellency, please, allow me to seize this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association of Ghana (NUTAG), for your kind, responsible and timely intervention to quell the much travails we have been experiencing at the hands of Ghanaian authorities and our Ghanaian counterpart, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA). 

“Sir, the leadership of NUTAG and all Nigerian traders in Ghana, as well as other Nigerians living in Ghana, deeply appreciate your recent visit to Ghana in order to try and resolve the lingering trade impasse between Ghana and Nigeria; in unison, we hail this as the right step in the right direction. 

“The move at once displays that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria led by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has all Nigerian citizens very close at heart, both at home and abroad. 

“We are indeed very grateful to you and the entire team who embarked on this journey, and we are optimistic that an end to our travails in Ghana is at hand.”

He appealed to the Nigerian Government to see to the reopening of the shops locked up by the Ghanaian authorities to reduce the hardship of Nigerian traders.