ECOWAS steps in to mediate Nigeria-Ghana trade dispute
Aderemi Ojekunle is a Businessamlive Reporter.
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Saviour Adugba
ECOWAS is set to resolve the trade dispute between West African neighbours, Nigeria and Ghana, at the ongoing two-day Consultation tagged ECOWAS Post-2020 Vision currently being held at Abuja, according to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
David Adeosun, director, microeconomic analysis, ministry of finance, budget and national planning, and one the Nigerian delegates to the two-day consultation, disclosed this in Abuja.
Adeosun called for calm from Nigerian traders in Ghana and noting that everything was being done to help alleviate the plight of Nigerian traders in Ghana, he told journalists.
The current trade spat between Nigeria and Ghana started after Ghanaian officials sealed the trading premises of some Nigerian traders in Ghana because of their alleged inability to pay the $1 million equity required by the Ghana Investment Promotions Council.
In response, Nigerian authorities faulted the decision of the Ghanaian government and stated that the country was considering some retaliatory actions against Ghana.
Geoffrey Onyema, Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, had stated at the time that the Federal Government of Nigeria was considering dragging Ghana to the Community Court of Justice of the ECOWAS if they were found to have breached the rules of engagement.
Speaking about the dispute at the conference, Adeosun said, ““I want to believe that this workshop will equally be able to proffer some solutions in terms of this issue. We shouldn’t give room for member states to see themselves as rivals.
“Rather, we should work together and complement each other’s efforts to be able to move the sub-region forward. I want to see ECOWAS as a sub-region that surpass European union.”
The minister also called on the aggrieved Nigerian traders in Ghana to be patient as he was sure that deliberations will be had to proffer lasting solutions.
ECOWAS can not afford to have another crisis on its hands as the recent military takeover of Mali has already thrown the sub-region into disarray with many Heads of States including Nigeria’s Buhari condemning the military action and calling for democracy to be restored.
The regional body will be hoping to resolve the dispute between Nigeria and Ghana quickly as it looks to build prosperity in the sub-region.