FG resolves Nigerian traders' dispute with Ghana

The Federal Government has succeeded in ending reported hostilities against Nigerian traders in Ghana as it has been able to secure the Ghanaian government's closure of over 40 shops belonging to Nigerian traders.

The shops were closed on February 6, 2013 for alleged violation of Ghana's laws on trading by foreigners.

The agreement to reopen the shops was reached at a meeting between the Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Haruna Idrissu, and the Nigerian delegation to Ghan, led by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom.

The decision of the Federal Government to send a delegation to Ghana to resolve the difficulties being faced by the Nigerian traders was to further reaffirm its commitment to the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad, according to a statement from the ministry.

Idrissu, according to the statement, highlighted some issues of violation of mutual agreements, which the Nigerian government promised to look into, stating however that he was happy with the Federal Government's handling of the issue.

According to reports by traders, the shops belonging to Nigerian traders in the Okaishie Market area in the Central Business District of Accra were closed in February by Ghanaian authorities, who ordered them to vacate the place without providing any alternative.

A notice signed by the Ghanaian authorities and pasted on the shops, titled, 'Non-Ghanaians engaged in trading in market places,' read, 'It has come to the notice of the task force that you are engaged in trading activities in the market place. Your activities contravene Section 18 of GPIC Law 1194 (Act 478).

'Please take notice that your continuous operations from the market will no more be countenanced and that your shop has been permanently closed from today. In case you have any difficulties related to the actions of the task force, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.'

The decision of the Ghanaian authorities was, however, reversed following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.