The government of Ghana has said that Federal Government of Nigeria has also taken drastic steps in the past that adversely affected Ghanians.
The Ghanaian government issued this statement days after the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, issued a statement against the issues affecting Nigerian traders in Ghana. Lai during a recent press conference said Nigeria would no longer take the harrassment on Nigerians in the country.
In a statement released recently, Ghana’s Minister of Information, Kojo Nkrumah, disclosed that the issues between both countries can be settled through diplomacy. He noted that it is on record that Nigeria took many steps “which have gravely affected other countries in the region”.
He said: “These include the closure of Nigeria’s Seme Krake border from August 2019 to date and the issuance of executive orders by Nigeria’s Presidency, preventing foreigners from getting jobs which Nigerians can do, to mention a few.”
“Ghana and other West African countries continue to believe redress to even actions like these can be sought, diplomatically, without resort to media statements and related activities that have the potential to aggravate further the situation.
“The aforementioned notwithstanding, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who values very much his excellent relations with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, will engage President Buhari with a view to develop immediately a framework for validating claims of ill treatment of citizens of either country, and ensure citizens enjoy the full exercise of their rights, while respecting the sovereignty and laws of both countries.
“Ghana and Nigeria, as they have been doing, must continue to work together for a successful West Africa.”
While talking about the demolition of a part Nigeria’s mission in Ghana, the Minister revealed that the Federal Government did complete the documentation process after paying for the land in 2000.
He said: “The High Commission failed to acquire the Lease and Land Title Certificate, which constitute documentation for the said property, as well as a building permit for construction. In Ghana, land is owned not only by the government, but also by stools and families.”
On the closing down of shops of Nigerian traders, Nkrumah said the reports that the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) increased the registration fee to $1 million is false.
