Top Nigerian Officials in crucial meeting with Ghanaian Envoy over closed traders shops in Ghana

Nigerian Government officials are meeting with the Ghanaian envoy over the closure of traders shops in Ghana.

Nigerian authorities summoned the Charge d’affaires of Ghana in Nigeria, Iva Denoo, in reaction to the recent lock-up of shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Ghana.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama who made this known in a tweet on his personal Twitter handle said I “Summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of #Ghana to Nigeria, Ms Iva Denoo to protest the recent forceful closure of the shops of Nigerian traders in Ghana and to demand an urgent resolution”.

The Minister who addressed the media in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Monday said the “Nigerian Government has watched with dismay the painful videos of the forceful closure of the shops of Nigerian traders in Ghana” and “urgent steps will be taken” to investigate the situation.

Meanwhile, Onyeama also met with a delegation from the Nigerian Traders in Ghana led by National President, Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN), Jasper Emenike and the National Director, Ruth Ango. He says “they discussed the perspective of the traders and proposed steps for the Government to take”

It will be recalled that about two months ago, the Nigerian Government also summoned the Ghanaian Chargé d’Affaires, Iva Denoo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the demolition of a section of the country’s diplomatic building which serves as quarters for staff of the High Commission in Accra.

Many say Nigeria has very few options this time around having also violated the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services since August 21, 2019 with closure of its land borders against its neighbours in the name of fighting smuggling activities.

Nigeria’s land borders were closed for about 7 months before the Covid-19 lockdown and will most likely remain shut even after international flights resume on Saturday next week, August 29.

The Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo was among several West African leaders who personally met with President Muhammadu Buhari to appeal for the reopening of the land borders but their passionate requests were turned down.