Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo
The Ghanaian Minister of Information, Kojo Nkrumah, has defended the $1 million trade levy and other regulations imposed on Nigerian traders in Ghana.
In his defense, he noted that Nigeria had equally issued executive orders preventing foreigners from getting jobs which Nigerians can do.
The minister also said it is astonishing that Ghanaian laws could be described as outrageous, reiterating that it is on record that Nigeria had taken a number of steps in pursuit of its national interests.
He cited the closure of the Seme Krake borders since August 2019 as part of steps taken by the Federal Government, which, he said had affected the neighbouring countries.
Nkrumah accused Nigerian traders in Ghana of gross violations of retail trade laws, including tax evasion, immigration offences, and selling of substandard products.
He said there is widespread abuse and disregard for local laws and regulations governing retail trade by some foreigners, including Nigerians, which needed to be addressed.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed had in his statement on Friday, 28 August 2020, listed various acts of aggression against Nigeria and its citizens by the Ghanaian authorities, including the take over of some Nigerian diplomatic properties, discriminatory deportation of 825 Nigerians within one year, and harsh jail sentences on Nigerian nationals.
Contrary to Lai Mohammed’s claims that 825 Nigerians were deported between January 2018 and February 2019, the minister explained that 700 Nigerians involved in fraud, prostitution, and armed robbery were deported from Ghana.
The minister however, assured that the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, will engage his counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari and develop a framework for validating the claims of ill-treatment of citizens of either country and ensure they enjoy the full exercise of their rights while respecting the sovereignty and laws of both countries.
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