The Republic of Ghana, through its Foreign Minister and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has begged Nigeria to re-open its borders. Ghana said it had been heavily affected by Nigeria’s decision to close its borders.
Botchwey stated that Ghana was determined to make Nigeria rescind its decision by exploiting diplomatic avenues. She was optimistic that Nigeria would re-open its Western borders for free flow of goods from Ghana to the subregion.
She made this plea during a meeting with Nigeria’s High Commission to Ghana, Olufemi Michael Abikoye on Tuesday.
“As we speak, Nigerian goods are entering Ghana without any problem and I think that we should find ways of isolating the issues and the countries that you have problems with so that Ghana’s exports can enter your market without being lumped up with all these issues that have emerged,” she said
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Why this matters: Nairametrics gathered that members of the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) recorded huge losses owing to the closure of the border.
- Several truckloads of goods were detained at the Seme border between Benin and Nigeria for weeks and returning to use seaports to transport the goods would only complicate the issues.
- Further investigations by Nairametrics disclosed that Nigeria ranked highly as one of the major export destinations for Ghana, in ECOWAS. Also, Nigeria’s decision to close its southern borders is a contravention of the ECOWAS treaty on trade and exports of goods and services, according to President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng.
- If this border closure continues, Ghana can lose its trade market which will affect its role in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
- Besides, border smuggling is one of the ways the Ghana Export Promotion Authority utilizes in boosting Ghana’s exports, particularly non-traditional ones.
The agony of the Benin farmers: Benin Republic is also affected by the border closure. According to farmers, dozens of baskets of tomatoes, pineapple and other fruits and vegetables have gone bad due to the border closure.
Biggest Gainers: The biggest gainer of the border closure is Nigeria. While food prices have gone up, Nigeria may be able to boost local production of food items and manufactured goods.
The Nigeria Customs Service also seems to be enjoying this closure as they described it as the most successful and effective measure so far adopted, in terms of curtailing the influx of smuggled rice and other goods to the country.
The Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col Hameed Ali, revealed that the agency’s revenue rose to over N5bn daily, since the closure. He also added that more than 200 illegal immigrants were apprehended across the border and thousands of bags of rice and other contrabands confiscated.
On his part, Nigerian High Commissioner, Olufemi Abikoye promised to sort the situation even though he noted that Ghana wasn’t the reason why the border was closed.
“At the end of it, we’re helping our economies”, he stated.
[READ ALSO: Border closure: Manufacturers lament losses incurred daily]
Backstory: Recall the Federal Government of Nigeria ordered the complete closure of the Nigerian border, placing a ban on both legitimate and illegitimate movement of goods in and out of the country.
This is coming after the President announced the partial closure of the Nigeria-Benin border on August 20th with the exercise code-named, ‘Ex-Swift Response’. The measure was taken to restrict the massive illegal importation of rice into Nigeria and ensure trans-border security issues.
I am presently residing in New York City and I’ve been following the trends and happenings around the Nigerian border.
It is interesting to note that our neighbors are feeling the effects of the border closure and yet they call Nigerians names including fraudsters.
If the customs and other security apparel can implement fully the border closure, it will better the Nigerian economy.
This is a welcome development
Exactly my thoughts too my bro. You said it all!
It is not an easy decision.
This is the best thing this govt has done in the 4 and half years of its existence.
I hope will can close those borders for at least 3years more and see the impact on our economy and foreign reserves. ECOWAS can keep shouting for all I care. Nigeria first, ECOWAS is second for us now.
I hope the politicians will have the gut to stay put on this decision.
I did not know that we are this important to our west African neighbours until this border closure,our neighbours have never treated us well,you need to travel through the republic of Benin down to Accra and see how Nigerians are embarrassed, I think this is pay back time, let them know our importance,
The policy is very good but the problem with majority of Nigerians is that it hard for them to endeour for things to take shape. Because prices of those items like bag of rice, basket of tomatoes skin -leader which are producing in Nigeria are too exorbitant compared to what it use to be.
Simply put, this is the best economic decision ever taken by any government in Nigeria. Definitely, if sustained, we shall, in no distant time, witness a geometric boost in our economy and job creation. Nigeria cannot continue to be a dumping ground and suffer in the midst of plenty. For Nigeria to grow economically, this bother closure must remain permanent.
One of the best economic policies ever introduced by this administration. I love and welcome it wholeheartedly
This is the only good thing this administration has ever done since 2015.
By the closure of these borders, Nigeria, the sleeping giant of Africa is gradually waking up from slumber. We can only feel the heat for a while. At the end of the day, we will gain a lot. This is the best step ever to be taken by any government in Nigeria so far. We should keep it up.
absolutely i cannot agree more with the writers, If Neighboring countries failed to obey the protocol rules too bad . Nigeria should never continue to be a receiving end and dumping ground. The tariff on goods to Nigerian ports should be reduced so that Benin republic will not continue as an alternative ports for transshipment of goods .The Best Policy Buhari administration to helping boost local made goods . Henceforth Nigerian Customs should be working with the army , and other task agency as to ensure corruption at the border post kept to bearest minimum level . Lastly no time table be given for Nigeria border opening. because Nigeria land border has been porous for very long time., and no any countr was a target but for security reason and illegal goods coming to Nigeria was the reason for the Nigeria border closure