A decision to establish a joint committee between Ghana and Nigeria, to consider a possible Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act to put to an end to decades of retail feud among traders of both countries, have been reached after representatives from Nigeria paid a visit to Ghana to settle the issues which has brought about unrest in both Nations.
The visit, comes as a result of Ghana and Nigerian traders over the weeks having a very displeasing encounter following the closure of shops belonging to Nigerian retailers in the country.
This decision was made known when both Speakers of Ghana and Nigeria’s Parliament issued a joint communique to that effect.
Benjamin Kalu, spokesperson of Nigeria’s House of Representative, addressing both countries at the sending-off ceremony of the Nigeria representatives said,
“The joint committee will be established composed of members from both legislatures to expose and explore the possible passage of reciprocal legislations which could potentially be called the Ghana Nigeria Friendship Act which shall propose the Ghana-Nigeria Council.”
He also indicated that to address the consequences of Ghana enforcing the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865), which led to the closure of shops belonging to foreign nationals including some Nigerians, measures will be adopted to regularize businesses properly.
“Measures will be adopted to support law-abiding traders to properly regularize the business operation to alleviate the trade challenges occasion by the alleged closure of retail stores in view of the ravaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and families of both countries.”
Mr. Kalu then spoke about the toll the protracted feud could have had on the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria and its resolving approach.
“In cognizance of the negative impact these developments could have on the brotherly relationship that has existed between our most revered countries in the sub region, a resolve will be that, meetings will be held between trade and foreign affairs legislature of both countries to deliberate on the applications of the trade laws in particular the GIPC Act,2013 ( Act 865) and make recommendations for appropriate solutions.”
Ghana and Nigerian traders have had a nasty brawl following the closure of shops belonging to foreign traders in the past weeks.
The issue emanated from the exercise that was carried out by a committee set up by the Ministry of Trade and Industry which said, it was enforcing the country’s law that forbade foreigners from the retail trade in the country.
As a result, some shops belonging to foreign retailers including Nigerians in some part of the country were closed.
As the issue escalated taking a rather violent turn, the Nigerian community in Ghana, however, took the matter to another level by petitioning the Nigerian government to come to their aid over what they described as “unfair treatment in Ghana”.
This resulted in Nigerian government saying it may be forced to sue the Ghanaian government at the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) for closing down shops owned by Nigerians across the country.
However, this week some Nigerian representatives visited the country to find ways of resolving the issue at hand, as they paid a visit to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo at the Jubilee House and Parliament.
