'Nigeria Can Close Their Borders Forever, But . . .' - GUTA

The Ghana Union of Traders' Association [GUTA] says they are not perturbed with Nigeria’s closure of its borders till January 31, 2020. 

The Association's President, Dr. Joseph Obeng in an interview with NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’ noted that, GUTA is only worried because, “We still have some of our goods in Nigeria, they should help us bring it back home. After, they can close their borders forever, we don’t care.” 

According to the leadership of the association, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] is ‘virtually non-existent’ and does not see its parliament coming into the fold on the issue of the Nigerian border closure, something Dr. Joseph Obeng is worried about.




The closure of the Benin-Nigeria border, which has stifled free trade among Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) member countries, has forced the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) to revive the pressure being mounted on the government to enforce Section 27 (1) of the GIPC Act, which debars foreigners from engaging in retail trade.




In the past three days, GUTA members have pounded Suame Magazine, an industrial hub in Kumasi, and closed down stores and shops belonging to Nigerians and other foreigners.




The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, reacting to the concerns of GUTA, bemoaned the current trade relations between Ghana and Nigeria, stating that the latter was taking advantage of her high population.

He said President Nana Akufo-Addo was worried about the current situation where Ghanaian traders plying their trade through the same routes have had their goods locked at the border.

According to the Minister, the Government of Ghana is threading tactfully on the issue of trade amongst West Africa countries, including Nigeria, and stressed the need for the people of Ghana, especially members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), to understand the discourse before Ghana worsens its relations with Nigeria.

The Deputy Minister, however, disclosed that a team of industry players in the Trade Ministry, led by his good self, would head towards the Nigeria-Benin border to seek deliberations with the authorities to ensure the border is opened immediately to ensure trade resumes.