The Nigeria-Ghana Business Council and the Nigeria Union of Traders
Association Ghana (NUTAG) have commended the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila over his intervention in the
trade disputes with the government of Ghana.
Members of the Nigeria-Ghana Business Council said through their
President, Omoba Bambo Ademiluyi, that Gbajabiamila’s visit to Ghana has
made a positive impact and paved the way for an amicable resolution to
the trade dispute.
In a letter of appreciation and commendation dated September 5 and
addressed to the Speaker, Mr. Ademiluyi said: “It is on record that your
trip brought about the highest involvement of both governments in this
dispute that has been on since 2007.
“Your proposals and presentations have given rise to two very vital
solutions to the problem: 1. The review of the GIPC Act demanding a
$1,000,000 deposit for foreign investors in Ghana as it concerns
Nigerians. 2. The promotion of the Nigeria-Ghana Business Council backed
by legislation to superintend on trade and business issues between the
two countries.”
He said the formation of the business council as proposed by the Speaker
was a welcome development.
“Our objectives and activities align with the proposal which is being
introduced to superintend trade issues of the two countries.
“It is, therefore, our wish to express support for the formation of this
council and request that we work with your team to see to a successful
emergence of a government-backed Business Council.”
On their part, members of NUTAG said in another letter addressed to the
Speaker dated September 6 that Gbajabiamila’s visit and engagement with
the Ghanaian authorities were timely and the right step in the right
direction.
In the letter, signed by the association’s President, Chief Chukwuemeka
Nnaji, the Nigerian traders urged the Speaker not to despair in ensuring
that resolutions reached during the interface are implemented by all
concerned parties.
The traders noted that Gbajabiamila’s intervention was a testimony that
President Muhammadu Buhari and the government of Nigeria have the
interest of Nigerians at home and abroad at heart.
The letter reads in part: “Your Excellency, please, allow me to seize
this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of
the Nigerian Union of Traders Association of Ghana (NUTAG), for your
kind, responsible and timely intervention to quell the much travails we
have been experiencing at the hands of Ghanaian authorities and our
Ghanaian counterpart, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
“Sir, the leadership of NUTAG and all Nigerian traders in Ghana, as well
as other Nigerians living in Ghana, deeply appreciate your recent visit
to Ghana in order to try and resolve the lingering trade impasse between
Ghana and Nigeria; in unison, we hail this as the right step in the
right direction.
“The move at once displays that the Government of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria led by His Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari has all
Nigerian citizens very close at heart, both at home and abroad.
“We are indeed very grateful to you and the entire team who embarked on
this journey, and we are optimistic that an end to our travails in Ghana
is at hand.”
The president of the trade union, however, stated that a lot of Nigerian
traders in Ghana are finding things difficult as their means of
livelihood have been shut down.
The traders appealed to the Nigerian Government to engage with the
Ghanaian Government to reopen the said shops pending an enduring
solution to the impasse.
