Federal Govt chides clampdown on Nigerian businesses in Ghana

The Nigerian Government has denounced the recent clampdown on Nigerian-owned businesses in Ghana.

Recall that the Ghanaian Government through an inter-ministerial task force embarked on a forceful closure of businesses owned by Nigerians in Accra, the country’s capital.

The Ghanaian government has demanded that the Nigerian businesses pay $1m in tax before they’re allowed to re-open for business transactions.

Speaking in the wake of a public outcry, Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Nigerian Government is unhappy with the situation, and that urgent steps will be taken to resolve the situation.

“Nigerian Government has watched with dismay the painful videos of the forceful closure of the shops of Nigerian traders in #Ghana. Urgent steps will be taken,” Onyeama said.

READ ALSO: Ghana demands $1m from Nigerian traders after closure of shops

Tolu Akande-Sadipe, Chairman, Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs also had promised that an investigation will be conducted to understand the rationale behind the forceful closure of businesses belonging to Nigerians in Ghana.

She stated that the act was against the intents of ECOWAS.

“House Committee on Diaspora and the entire @HouseNG 9th Assembly will do whatever is within our scope to ensure that this is investigated and the Government of Ghana @GhanaPresidency takes responsibility for policies that could lead to the destruction of the intents of ECOWAS,” she said.

Chukwuemeka Nnaji, President of Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, who explained the situation, said Nigerian shop owners were being asked to provide registration of business taxes, resident permit, standard control, and Ghana Investment Promotion Council registration.

“Most of our members do not have the GIPC registration, because it requires $1m cash or equity and they gave us 14 days within which to regularise,” he said.