Nigerian Businesses Remain Locked Up In Ghana Despite Police Directive

According to the police command, it is an unlawful act to close the shops as it infringes on the rights of the Nigerian traders, but GUTA also presents a counter argument, citing the Ghana Investment Promotion Act 865 2013. That act explicitly bars them from establishing businesses in the first place.

Meanwhile, Chief Kizito Ike Obiora, the Spokesperson for Nigerian Union of Traders Association in Kumasi, told the press that the shops remain locked and any attempts to engage GUTA for an ‘amicable solution’ has proved unsuccessful.

“Yesterday, the commander gave us assurance. In our presence, he ordered the executive of GUTA to open the shops. At the moment, they haven’t opened it, so we are still waiting for them” Ike Obiora said.

Recently, Haruna Iddris, the Minister of Trade and Industry had set up a 13-member committee to check the influx of foreigners into the local retail trade.

Ghana and Nigeria have a history of trade tensions, which have in the past resulted in the deportation of each others nationals.

Saharareporters