Akufo-Addo, Buhari meet on Nigerian retailers in Ghana

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has re-assured Nigerian retail businesses in Ghana that they are not being targeted and that the cordial relationship between both countries will not be taken for granted.

President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this in a tweet after he had met Nana Akufo-Addo on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“The plight of Nigerian traders in Ghana came up when I met with President @NAkufoAddo yesterday. He assured me that Nigerians are not being deliberately targeted. The relationship between our countries is a very important one, and will not be taken for granted by either side,” Mr Buhari’s tweet said.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Trade Ministry has directed that all retail shops that were closed by a taskforce be opened with immediate effect.

The order came after some Nigerians on Monday, 24 September 2018 staged a demonstration in Abuja against what they describe as intimidation of Nigerian businesses in Ghana.

The Nigerians said Ghanaian authorities have closed over 400 shops belonging to their kith and kin living in Ghana.

They claim their compatriots in Ghana are living in fear and are in a state of insecurity.

The protesters handed over a petition to the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Secretariat in Abuja and want the regional body to intervene.

However, a statement signed by Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, assured the international community, especially Nigerians that the government of Ghana has nothing against them or any other foreign national.

The statement said foreign nationals operating businesses in Ghana are not under any form of threat.

On the contrary, the statement noted, “Ghanaians are internationally acknowledged as very hospitable and friendly particularly to foreign nationals.”

The plight of Nigerian traders in Ghana came up when I met with President @NAkufoAddo yesterday. He assured me that Nigerians are not being deliberately targeted. The relationship between our countries is a very important one, and will not be taken for granted by either side. pic.twitter.com/L78t7nqLQT

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) 28 September 2018