"We are ready to deal with Nigerian criminals" - HC

Accra, July 24, GNA - The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Musiliu O. Obanikoro, on Thursday said the High Commission was ready to collaborate with security agencies to flush out Nigerians who would fall foul of the laws of Ghana.

"We cannot allow the negative activities of the few people to tarnish the image of Nigeria," he told Mrs Oboshie Sai-Coffie, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Affairs during a courtesy call on her in Accra. Mr Obanikoro said activities of a few Nigerians were a matter of concern which called for a stronger corporation with authorities in Ghana to bring them to book.

He said Ghana and Nigeria needed to work closely to move the integration of the sub-region forward, especially in the area of economic cooperation.

He indicated Nigeria's readiness to partner Ghana in the area of tourism, particularly in organising Panafest, a pan-African festival organised in Ghana to showcase African culture and traditions to the rest of the world.

On Ghana's oil, Mr. Obanikoro advised government to learn from the Niger Delta experience in Nigeria to forestall any mistake in sharing the proceeds that may accrue from the industry.

"You all know the embarrassment that the Niger Delta has caused Nigeria. I suggest Ghana set up a committee to study the experience to enable her to do things right in her case."

Mr Obanikoro announced that a business summit, which would usher in the Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, would be hosted in Ghana to entrench the relationship between the two countries.

Mrs Sai-Coffie, on her part assured the High Commissioner that government was really taking time to make the necessary consultations and arrangements to ensure that oil revenue was shared nationally and to benefit generations to come.

On Panafest, the Minister said plans were being made to regularise its celebration to be observed annually instead of biennially. She announced that a joint Diasporan relationship, dubbed multi-destination package that would allow people in the Diaspora to visit both cities in Ghana and Nigeria should be supported by all, particularly Nigeria.

In a related development, the Indian High Commissioner, Madam Ruchi Ghanashyam also paid a courtesy call on the Tourism Minister and commended Ghana for the strides she was making in the sub-region. "Ghana has beautiful people and nice and well located hotels," Madam Ghanashyam noted.

She said India would continue to collaborate with Ghana in developing her human resource through the offering of scholarships to Ghanaians to be trained in India.

Mrs Sai-Coffie gave the assurance that Ghana would do everything possible to make Ghana an attractive destination for all, especially by curbing crime.

"As at last month, figures for criminal activities have dropped so well, and within the next 30 to 60 days we expect it to decrease further", the Minister added. 24 July 08