1,000 Nigerian shops shut in Ghana over border closure- Ambassador

The rising attacks on shops owned by Nigerians in Ghana have escalated since the Federal Government of Nigeria shut its borders, the High Commissioner to Ghana, Amb. Olufemi Abikoye has said.

Abikoye said about 1,000 shops owned by Nigerians have been shut due to the retaliation for the border closure which began in August.

The shutting of the shops is being enforced by the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association

Abikoye said in a statement that there was a need for both Ghana and Nigeria to settle things amicably so as not to destroy the good relationship between both countries.

The statement further read, "It is recalled that there has been ongoing tension between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders of recent, with almost 1,000 shops belonging to Nigerian traders being illegally shut down by the GUTA members.

"The excuse for their action was linked to Nigeria’s temporary closure of its land border and the shortlisting of about 45 products from the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme, an action which they claimed crippled their trading activities with Nigeria.

"Given the above scenario, it is pertinent to note that such attacks by GUTA which could threaten the national security of both countries and mar bilateral relations may likely continue if drastic steps are not taken by both Governments to address the issue amicably."

He noted that GUTA on Monday carried out another round of attacks on Nigerian retailers. The attackers, wielding various weapons carried out the attack at Circle Tip Toe Lane, near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra, Ghana.

The attack occurred following an attempt by the Nigerians to reopen their shops which were locked on Sunday, December 1, 2019, by members of GUTA allegedly using staff of the Ghana Police Force.

This led to a clash between the two sides.

The high commissioner said in a bid to ensure the safety of lives and property of the Nigerian traders, the commission swiftly contacted the Ghana Police Force to come to their rescue by mobilising sufficient personnel to disarm the invading attackers as well as restoring peace and normalcy in the area.

Abikoye also sought the intervention of various Ghanaian establishments to ensure that the illegally locked shops were immediately opened.

He noted, however, that shops are still under lock and key as the situation is still a bit tense.

The commission said for the records, no lives were lost during the incidence, but seven arrests were made, four of who are Nigerians: Uche Onwurah, Chizoba Onwurah, Abuchi Kenneth, Onyekachi Iheoma and Darlington Logo, and three Ghanaians.

The statement read further that the District Police Commander, Nima Police Station, ACP. Abraham Acquaye, had advised that the shops remain locked for possible dialogue to take place.

In the aftermath of the attacks, an Executive member of GUTA, Mr. Eric Gumfi, in a press statement on Monday, further threatened that GUTA would continue with the closure of all shops belonging to foreigners in ensuring the GIPC Act is enforced.

The commissioner noted that the pre-meditated attacks on the Nigerian retailers followed the expiration of a purported one-week ultimatum issued by GUTA on November 18, 2019, for the Ghanaian Government to begin unilaterally enforcing the controversial Ghana Investment Protection Commission Act that they claim bars foreigners from retail trade in the country and also for the foreign traders to clear the goods in their shops or face the wrath of the association.

Section 27 (1) of the GIPC Act states that any foreigner or enterprise that is not wholly-owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place.

While the high commissioner condemned the attack on equivocal terms, he also appealed to the Nigerian traders to remain calm and never take laws into their hands, as the high commission is doing everything possible to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, there is ongoing dialogue between the High Commissioner and Ghanaian Government functionaries on the best way to permanently put the situation under control.