The Executive Director of the Nigerian Union Traders Association (NUTA) has warned that if attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana continue, there will soon be reprisal attacks in West Africa’s economic.
Speaking to Starr FM today, Kacey Ogbonna said there is no justification for some of the attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana, adding that most of the Nigerians traders met all the requirements to do business in the country.
His comments came after members of the Local Union of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in Koforidua in the Eastern Region on August 13, 2020 agitated over the influx of foreigners, mostly Nigerians, in the retail business contrary to the laws of Ghana.
The local GUTA has therefore issued an ultimatum demanding the closure of all retail shops of the Nigerians by August 31,2020 threatening to unleash thugs to forcefully eject the Nigerians from the local market if their calls are not heeded.
This came after several months of clashes between Nigerian traders and their Ghanaian counterparts in the retail space. There have been clashes at Abossey Okai and Circle, both in Accra, and in Kumasi between Nigerian traders and members of GUTA.
Ogbonna said most of the retail shops belong to Ghanaians married to Nigerian men. He added that there must be a quick resolution to the impasse or else there will be consequences on over two million Ghanaians living in Nigeria.
“If you go into the issue, you’ll realize most of the shops being closed are not supposed to be closed. Nigerians are having the feeling they are being chased and it could have rippling effects over there in Nigeria because there are about two million Ghanaians trading in Nigeria.
“Most of the Nigerians whose shops are being closed have fulfilled the GIPC [Ghana Investment Promotion Centre] requirement. Some of the shops being closed belong to Nigerians whose wives and children are Ghanaians,” Ogbonna added.
Source: Starr FM
