Nigerian Traders Condemn ECOWAS Silence Over Ghana’s Border Closure

Posted by Tolulope Ogugua African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News Around Africa Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Nigerian traders has condemned ECOWAS’ silence over border closure by the Ghanaian government thereby violating the policy on free movement in the region.

Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, President of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG), made the call in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

Nnaji, who spoke against the backdrop of delays by Ghana authorities to reopen shops owned by Nigerians, disclosed that their shops were closed since March 2020.

According to him, Nigerians are suffering harassment and extortion due to border closure by the Ghanaians .

“It has never been this bad for the past 20 years of my going through the West African highways.

“From Mile two to the Aflao border now has become a nightmare for traders.

“The way it is now, you cannot predict the possible duration of your journey; the journey through this part has become so dangerous.

“Since the Ghanaian border was closed, almost 18 months now, citizens of West Africa States have suffered so much in the hands of the Ghanaian immigration and police,’’ Nnaji said.

According to him, traders in the route spend between N20,000 and N100,0000 plying the border route.

Incidental expenses of COVID-19 test is not helping matters , after testing negative in Nigeria, one may test positive in Ghana; that is another $606 unplanned expenses.“Majority of us cannot travel out of Ghana because of the cost.

“Transportation of goods has also become expensive and time-consuming.

“Vehicles transporting goods can spend up to three months instead of five days.

“Therefore, I call on ECOWAS to intervene and come to our aid, because the situation is getting tough day by day,’’ Nnaji appealed.