Union confirms reopening of Nigerians’ shops in Ghana

All the locked up shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana have been reopened except few ones whose owners are not around.

Nigerian High Commission in Accra, Ghana confirmed this at the weekend following a message received from Chukwuemeka Nnaji, President of Nigeria Union of Traders Association in Ghana.

According to Nnaji: “Checks conducted as at 31//10/18 revealed that Ghana Union of Traders Association Executives have opened locked up shops in Suame magazine industrial enclave for foreign (Nigerian) traders. These were shops locked up as a result of the GUTA, foreign traders impasse.

“The following number of Nigerians’  shops were opened with the Nigerians going about their business peacefully: Anomangye 3 shops, Mathias Junction 18 shops, Swarggat Hotel area 24, Zone two area 17 and New Magazine 26.

“Opening of the shops is still on going. Those that have not been opened are locked because owners are not present at their shops and GUTA Executives want to open the shops with owners present.”

In a thank you message to the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Michael Olufemi Abikoye, NUTAG President Nnaji stated: “Your Excellency The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana Amb. Michael Olufemi Abikoye Sir,  May I use this opportunity to officially inform you Sir that the shops owned by Nigerian Traders in Kumasi have been opened. Thank you very much Sir.”

As at November 2, 2018, all Nigerian shops locked up in Kumasi have been opened.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoferry Onyeama, in a message on Saturday to Ambassador Abikoye said: “Thank you for the excellent role you have played. Outstanding diplomacy.”

Recall that the Minister had summoned Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Rashid Bawa, to brief him on how the Government of Ghana was handling the situation.

There had been outrage over the closure of over 400 shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana.

The traders alleged that Ghanaian authorities have come up with a legislation compelling foreigners to have $1 million as minimum foreign investment capital to do business in the country.