Nigeria border closure: ‘We cannot accept Nigeria’s excuse’ – Dompreh

Frank Annoh Dompreh, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, has said that government will not accept Nigeria’s excuse of blaming Beninois traders for the closure of borders that has resulted in the restriction of goods of some Ghanaian traders.

“Based on the introductory checks we made and the excuse the Nigerian’s are giving cannot justify the decision. It is a clear protectorate violation which is not good enough to project the vision and mission of the ECOWAS as a bloc.”

Mr. Dompreh made this known in an interview with GhanaWeb when Parliament resumed on Tuesday, October 22 after a 90-day recession.

According to him, any retaliatory action from Ghana will complicate ongoing trade negotiations with Nigeria and has called for the citizenry to exercise patience on the matter.

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) on the hand, has rejected assurances from the government that relief is in the offing for Ghanaian traders stranded at the Nigerian-Benin border.

President of the Association, Dr. Joseph Obeng says from their understanding, the West African country is unwavering in its decision to close its borders.

Mr Obeng, speaking to reporters said, “We have been there [Nigeria] and they reiterated what they are doing. They said it [the border closure] is going to be there for long,” he expressed.

According to him, not even an assurance from the Deputy Minister for Trade, Carlos Ahenkorah would alleviate his worries.

Reason for Nigeria-Benin border closure

The government of Nigeria in August closed its borders with the reason of ending rampant smuggling across the porous frontiers.

The decision according to Nigeria, was aimed at preventing weapons and drugs from entering the country and not just to stop food smuggling, Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed said this week.

The border closure has, however, received widespread criticism from across the sub-region.