Nigerian businesses in Ghana ought to be protected - ANC Ghana

The All Nigerian Community (ANC), held a press conference in Ghana's capital, Accra to address the incessant harassment of Nigerian traders in the country by Ghanaian traders and security agencies.

The presser, the first since the impasse between Ghanaian traders and their counterpart was held outside the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.

Speaking at the event that lasted more than two hours were leaders from the All Nigerian Community and the Nigerian Trade Union, NUTAG.

The unions expressed disgust at the current situation that has caused hardship to Nigerian traders in Ghana and death in some situations.

According to the General Secretary of All Nigerian Community, Mr. Isaac Osahon Ekhator, Nigerian businesses in Ghana ought to be protected rather than discriminated upon by Ghanaian authorities.

“The least the Nigerian trading community in Ghana expected from its host country was the human face and exhaust all diplomatic means in the exercise of their local laws – a law many perceive as punitive, discriminatory and undermines the core tenets of regional integration, and the principle of African economic trading zone, Mr. Ekhator said in Accra."

Without mincing words, Mr. Ekhator said he believes Nigerian businesses are coming under attack.

“We believe that Nigerian businesses in Ghana are under attack and it is a clarion call on the Nigerian government to activate immediate and definitive action towards an amicable and lasting solution to this impasse,” Mr Ekhator said.

He added; “There has been reported difficulties among Nigerians in Ghana resulting in the closure of shops that have occasioned extreme hardship and in some cases the loss of lives and this hardship has been escalated by the severe disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He, therefore, encouraged both governments to settle the impasse amicably before it degenerates.

"Considering the negative fall-out and the potential strain of relationship between Ghana and Nigeria, the Nigerian community in Ghana is by this briefing calling on both governments to as a matter of urgency, expedite dialogue, arrest this unfortunate phenomenon and to nip the deteriation and escalation of the issue in the bud."

We on behalf of the Nigerian citizens in Ghana, issue this desperate appeal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to give urgent consideration to this growing issue with the hope the government’s prompt intervention brings an end to the plight of our citizens in Ghana, he added."

In December 2019, the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA) locked up over six hundred shops belonging to Nigerian retailers at Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

Most of the shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Kumasi in the Ashanti region were also forced to shut down that year after Ghanaian traders alleged that Nigerian traders had taken over the retail business in the country.

This move caused a clash between Ghanaian traders and Nigerian traders leading some persons involved to be arrested while others were badly injured.

Meanwhile, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association is calling on the government to implement the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, GIPC Act, 2013 (Act 865), to prevent foreigners in the country from engaging in retail trade.

The group wants the Presidential Committee on Retail Trade set up by the government to vet the operating documents of foreigners in the retail business.