The Minister of Trade and Industry in Ghana, Alan Kyerematen, has directed the immediate opening of all shops and outlets owned by Nigerians and other foreign nationals that were closed recently.
According to a statement by the Ministry in Accra, the directive followed extensive consultation it had with the National Executives of Ghana Union of Traders Association and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra under the leadership of High Commissioner Michael Abikoye.
The minster assured the international community that the closure of the shops was not targeted at Nigerians or any foreign national.
“The ministry takes this opportunity to assure the general public, particularly the international community that there is NO orchestrated action by Government or any State Institution targeted at Nigerian nationals or any particular foreign nationals,” the statement by the Ministry made available by the Nigerian High Commission said.
Recall that no fewer than 400 shops owned by Nigerians were recently closed by the Ghanaian authorities, fuelling speculations that the action was targeted at Nigerians resident in that country.
Nigerian traders last week stormed the ECOWAS Commission secretariat in Abuja to protest what they described as unfair discrimination.
A petition written to the ECOWAS Chairman, who doubles as Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, and made available to newsmen reads in part: “Save Our Soul (SOS)’s call.
“The Urgency of this protest is to inform you of the state of fear, uncertainty and insecurity that Nigerian traders are currently subjected to in the hands of the government and people of Ghana in different cities under the coordination of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“You are very much aware that we wrote you, raised alarm and reported to the commission several times, of the discriminatory and unfair treatment meted on Nigerian traders and Nigerian-owned small businesses in Ghana.
“The Ghana Ministry of Trade and Industry issued a public notice and gave an ultimatum that all Non-Ghanaians should move out of markets on the 27th July 2018.
“In August, 2018, the Ministry, in a joint operation with Ghana Union of Traders Association, established a task force with specific mandate to clamp down on Nigerian traders.
“This eventually resulted in the closure of over 400 Nigerian traders’ shops and lawfully established businesses in Kumasi, Ashanti region of Ghana.
“Our members are shut out of their business premises in pursuance of the eviction order dated July 27, 2018 and demanding that we must have one million dollars as minimum foreign investment capital to do business in Ghana.”
President Buhari had earlier in the week met with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana on the sidelines of the ongoing 73rd United Nations General Assembly.
At the meeting, President Akufo-Addo promised a quick resolution of the issue.
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