Ghana, Nigerian Bizmen Face-Off

FG, Ecowas sue for truce

Nigerian  government in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, is working with the Ghanaian government to reconsider its harsh condition imposed on Nigerian businessmen in Ghana.


Minister of Information, Labaran Maku who stated this yesterday, noted that the long existing cordial relationship between the two countries would not be jeopardised by the harsh policy of the Ghanaian government which Nigerian businessmen alleged were targeted at them. Under the policy, businessmen are required to have an initial capital of $300,000 and employ 10 Ghanaians before they can start any business in Ghana, regardless of the size of the business.

However, the Information Minister said, “with the Federal Government and ECOWAS intervention, Ghanaian authorities will reconsider their stance. “Nigeria and Ghana enjoy very cordial and friendly relations, it is one of our foremost business partners in the West African sub region.

 “In ECOWAS, we share common values, vision for this sub continent and Ghana has always supported Nigeria on major issues within and outside Africa and we also always stand by Ghana. These two countries perhaps have more cordial relationship in this sub-region and our people have learnt to live together.

 “But in particular reference to the incidence in Ghana, the government within the rules outlined by ECOWAS and other international conventions made presentations on behalf of Nigerians in Ghana and currently the information available is that Ghana is also considering the suspension of the demands on Nigerians in Ghana, following the intervention of the Nigerian government and the ECOWAS parliament. That doesn’t mean that the problem is finally resolved, but that it creates an opportunity for both Nigeria and Ghana to resolve these problems amicably.

 “What is most important for us as a leading nation in ECOWAS and in the African sub region is to create an environment where our citizens should be able to participate freely in economic activities. ECOWAS is one of the greatest examples of regional integration in the continent and it has served the economies of member states in West Africa

“We have also collaborated with other countries even on security stretched across to all member countries and Nigeria believes that in working together this region has more to benefit and that in allowing our citizens to compete freely in the market place we also create the synergy that will lead to competition, development and indeed defeat poverty in the sub region.

“So I assure you that both Nigeria and Ghana will continue to work together to resolve any teething problems that will arise as we continue to integrate West Africa and promote economic development, fight poverty and the development of this sub-region,” he said.

Culled from VANGUARD