NAGHACON positions to boost West Africa’s socioeconomic relations
West Africa’s socio economic relation is poised to receive a boost with the strategic positioning of the National Association of Ghana Communities in Nigeria (NAGHACON) with the proposed establishment of a secretariat to attend to trade, immigration, residency and cooperation inquiries.
Nigeria and Ghana, two Anglophone counties with similar political developmental historical background have sustained economic and social cooperation’s over the years, a development which NAGHACON wants to take to the next level with the construction of a befitting center in Nigeria.
NAGHACON was established by the Ghana High commission in Nigeria to foster unity, provide welfare and support services to members far away from home and to promote economic and social wellbeing of the people and the two countries, which by extension would further economic and social integration of neighboring countries.
The association’s president, Mr. Frank Quaye disclosed recently in Lagos during the Association’s Awards/Dinner and fund raising night the proposed secretariat in Lagos, would serve the benefit of not only Ghanaians in Nigeria, but as data and information center for business cooperation between the two countries.
He said that the 2016 edition of the NAGHACON gala night, organised in collaboration with the Ghanaian business community ‘the great minds’ aimed at ensuring continual representation of the business community and Ghanaians in the diaspora.
The secretariat has the blessing of the country’s high commission as it would augment effort at delivering timely and effective information generation and dissemination.
He said that the secretariat when completed would not just help Ghanaians in Nigeria or those wishing to do business with either of the countries, but also help to cement the trade and cultural relations also with neighboring countries.
Nigerians would have easy access to the center when completed, for all relevant trade information, thereby reducing the burden on the High commission.
“I will use this time to appreciate our host country, Nigeria, for making the atmosphere so conducive for us that a lot of us pride ourselves as citizens of Ghangeria, being comfortable both in Ghana or our home country and Nigeria our host country.”
The personal assistant to NAGHACON president, Martins Amo-Ayesu, told Daily Times that the proposed center when completed would also aid in residency documentations for Nigerians and Ghanaians.
“Sometimes, the people have to go to the embassy and the embassy in turn will have to call the NAGHACON President for verification”, Amo-Ayesu said adding, “with the secretariat in place, other people or organisations that want to invest in Ghana, will have to utilize the manpower of the association to access information they cannot easily get at the embassy.”
Hence the High commissioner cannot go out looking for all Ghanaians and Nigerians with business intent in Ghana, this can easily be achieved by the association which already has a strong data base of over 2 million registered members and corporate organizations.
The secretariat, not to ensure that citizens meet residency rules of Nigeria, also would ensure seamless business relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.
Evangelist Daniel Obey Apori, one of the patrons of the association told Daily Times in an interview that when the secretariat becomes operational, everyone would be happy because instead of rushing to the embassy, one can easily get to the center and receive immediate attention.
He said that the center will provide easy place for submission of complaints, inquiry or due diligence for Nigerians and Ghanaian business community. these services, Apori said could easily be rendered without having to revert to the embassy.
