Nigerian traders protest Ghanaian govt’s refusal to open locked shops
- Nigerian traders in Ghana say they are still been discriminated against by Ghanaian authorities
- The traders held a protest in Accra, the Ghanaian capital to air their grievances over their situation
- Ghanian authorities are notorious for intimidating Nigerian traders with stifling policies
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The Nigeria Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG), have complained about Ghanaian authorities’ refusal to open shops owned by Nigerians in Accra.
The president of NUTAG, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, led a protest of his members, revealing that their shops have been locked up since 2019.
He called on the authorities in Nigeria to intervene and help them talk to their Ghanaian counterparts.
Source: Twitter
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Nigerian traders in Ghana have consistently accused local authorities of discrimination with many saying the fight is over retail commerce and Ghana's plans to dominate an area hitherto controlled by Nigerians.
Recall that the Nigerian government recently called on Ghana to review its Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 2013 (Act 865) that demands a capital of $1 million for businesses owned by foreigners, including Nigerians.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, made the call during his diplomatic meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye.
Earlier, the federal government warned Ghanaian authorities that it would no longer tolerate the harassment of Nigerians residing in Accra and other cities of the West African country.
The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed in a statement on Friday, August 28, said the government won't fold its hand and allow such maltreatment to continue.
Some analysts in Nigeria have stated that the action of Ghanaian authorities might be due to the border closure by the federal government.
The thinking is that the move against Nigerian traders is geared towards forcing Nigerian authorities to reopen the border.
Ghanaian authorities have in the past complained about the border closure, stressing that it is affecting their economy.
This is due to the fact that most West African countries depend on Nigeria for trade and a hub for economic activities in the region.
Some have also described the situation as a trade war between Nigeria and Ghana, adding that it is a threat to regional integration.
Two West African powerhouses, Nigeria and Ghana, have for long traded barbs over Nigerians' alleged mistreatment in Ghana.
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Source: Legit.ng
