The Ghanian authority has sent across an open-letter to Nigeria on Sunday after Federal Government warned them of incessant harassment and the progressive acts of hostility on her citizens living there.
In relation to the Federal Government warnings over the incessant harassment and the progressive acts of hostility towards its citizens living in Ghana, the Ghanaian authorities through a statement issued on saturday, has responded to the protest by the Federal Government, denying any act of hostility towards Nigeria and its citizens in Ghana as alleged by the Federal government.
The Ghanaian authority while responding to the warnings said it would engage the Federal Government of Nigeria with a view to resolving comprehensively and exhaustively matters that have the potential to sour relations between the two countries.
The statement reads, “The government of Ghana notes, with concern, a statement, dated Friday, August 28, 2020, issued by the Ministry of Information and Culture and signed by the Federal Minister, Hon. Lai Mohammed, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, concerning current relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
“Ghana remains committed to the maintenance of warm relations with all sister nations, particularly, for well-known historical reasons, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and will proceed to engage the Federal Government of Nigeria with a view to resolve comprehensively and exhaustively any matters that have the potential to sour relations between the two countries.
“Ghana finds it imperative, however, from the onset, to state, for the public record, that the outline of issues by my Nigerian counterpart is not reflective of the developments in Ghana. Any protests, decisions or actions based on these reports will, thus, be unjustified” adding that “We are obliged, therefore, as a first step, to provide our counterparts, as well as the Ghanaian and Nigerian publics, with a more reflective account of events, even as we pursue substantive diplomatic engagements to resolve matters.”
Speaking on the seizure of nigerian property, which is located at No. 10, Barnes Road, Accra, Oppong-Nkrumah said, “The transaction was a commercial arrangement between Thomas D. Hardy, a private citizen and the High Commission of Nigeria in Ghana on 23rd October 1959″ exllaining thay “The terms of the commercial lease expired 46 years ago, without any evidence of renewal by the High Commission of Nigeria in Ghana. The government of Ghana was not involved in the transaction and has not seized the property in question.”
The Ghanian authority further clarified that “No Nigerian trader has been arrested. The closure of shops was as a result of infractions on Ghanaian laws. Even then, those affected who were not only Nigerians, have been given ample time to regularise their documents. Furthermore, no Nigerian-owned shops are currently closed.”
“On the contrary, the negative reportage has been against the Ghanaian government from high places (tweets by Foreign Minister of Nigeria and a Nigerian businessman, who appears to have political interests in Ghana) in Nigeria. “This is inconsistent with established practice in our very good relations. The press release by the Information and Culture Minister of Nigeria is a clear departure from the manner in which officials of the two countries have related with each other in the past” he said.
“Ghana has always demonstrated her commitment to excellent relations with Nigeria which is evidenced by the manner in which Ghanaian government officials dealt with recent issues, which have had severe economic impact on our country. Ghana did not resort to any media war. However, the Ghanaian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade travelled to Abuja to try to resolve diplomatically the issue of closure of Nigerian borders, and to seek safe corridor for ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) exports from Ghana, all to no avail. It is expected that the response of Nigerian authorities to situations that evolve in our relations should be guided by the merits of the matter and our mutual interests.”
Speaking on incessant deportation of Nigerians in Ghana, Oppong-Nkrumah said, “In 2019, 700 Nigerians, who were found to have been involved in criminal activities such as fraud, prostitution, armed robbery etc., were deported.”
On residency permit requirement, for which Ghana Immigration Service has placed huge fees far higher than the fees charged by the Nigerian Immigration Service, Oppong-Nkrumah said, “It must be noted that all foreigners, who apply for resident permit in Ghana, pay same fees… These fees are not specific to Nigerians.”
The minister maintained that there was no media war between Nigeria and ghana which could lead to Xenophobic attack especially, Nigerian traders in Ghana.
On the accusation that 300, 600 and 250 shops belonging to Nigerians were closed down in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, Ghana said, “Upon evidence that some individuals, including Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians, had been involved in various forms of trade, without complying with the laws and regulations of Ghana, several engagements and prior advice had been given to encourage compliance. Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry personally intervened to ensure the reopening of closed shops, pending compliance with Ghana’s laws by their operators.”
Meanwhile, Olive branch has been extended to Nigerians, promising commitment to warm relations with Nigeria .
By Chinenye Gertrude
GGB reports
Gbos Gist Blog 