Diplomatic Row: Ghanaian President Promises To Engage Buhari To Resolve Alleged Maltreatment Of Nigerians

– Says Govt Not Responsible For Rising Tensions

The Ghanaian Government said on Sunday that President Nana Akufo-Addo would meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to verify and resolve the alleged maltreatment of Nigerians in Ghana.

It stated that the two West African neighbours had a long history of good diplomatic relations, which must not be sacrificed on the altar of allegations that were not fully verified.

It also claimed that the government was not involved or instigated any maltreatment of Nigerians.

The reaction from Ghana came days after businesses of some Nigerian traders were reportedly closed over a $1 million fine.

Ghana’s Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, gave the government’s position in a statement on Sunday.

“The Government of Ghana notes, with concern, a statement, dated Friday, August 28, 2020, issued by the Ministry of Information and Culture and signed by the Federal Minister, Hon. Lai Mohammed, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, concerning current relations between Ghana and Nigeria.

“Ghana remains committed to the maintenance of warm relations with all sister nations, particularly, for well-known historical reasons, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and will proceed to engage the Federal Government of Nigeria with a view to resolve comprehensively and exhaustively any matters that have the potential to sour relations between the two countries,” the statement partly read.

Nkrumah clarified that the 1 million dollars payment was not targeted at Nigerians only but was within stipulated laws for certain businesses in the country.

“Further, the statement that a review of the Act has increased the minimum capital base for foreign owned businesses to US$1.00m is false.

“Perhaps the reference is to sections 27 (2 & 3) of the GIPC Act and relate solely to persons who are not citizens but want to engage in retail trade or trading activities, which are otherwise restricted exclusively to Ghanaians.

“Accordingly, a person who is not a citizen may engage in a trading Enterprise if that person invests in the Enterprise, not less than One Million United States Dollars in cash or goods and services relevant to the investments.

“Trading includes purchasing and selling of imported goods and services. The amount does not relate to the broad universe of investors.

“We are also somewhat astonished to have the laws of a sovereign nation described as outrageous, especially since they have not attracted the rebuff or criticism of any regional organization, especially ECOWAS,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he stressed that irrespective of what had transpired between the two nations, it would work towards strengthening its relations with Nigeria.

The statement further reads: “The Federal Republic, on the other hand, is on record to have taken a number of steps in recent months, in pursuit of her national interests, which have gravely affected other countries in the Region.

“These include the closure of Nigeria’s Seme Krake Border from August 2019 to date and the issuance of executive orders by Nigeria’s Presidency, preventing foreigners from getting jobs which Nigerians can do, to mention a few.

“Ghana and other West African countries continue to believe redress to even actions like these can be sought, diplomatically, without resort to media statements and related activities that have the potential to aggravate further the situation.

“The aforementioned notwithstanding, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who values very much his excellent relations with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadou Buhari, will engage President Buhari with a view to develop immediately a framework for validating claims of ill treatment of citizens of either country, and ensure citizens enjoy the full exercise of their rights, while respecting the sovereignty and laws of both countries. Ghana and Nigeria, as they have been doing, must continue to work together for a successful West Africa.