Nigeria is to take “urgent steps” following a viral video showing the forced closure of shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Ghana.
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama made the pronouncement in a tweet, as he expressed his government’s “dismay”.
Summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of #Ghana to Nigeria, Ms Iva Denoo to protest the recent forceful closure of the shops of Nigerian traders in Ghana and to demand an urgent resolution. #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 #PTFCOVID19 @NigeriaGov @DigiCommsNG @ecowas_cedeao @zubairu_dada pic.twitter.com/FGtRoi0Bn0
— Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) August 17, 2020
It comes just months after a major diplomatic row in which a building in the Nigerian embassy compound in Ghana was demolished.
The video in question shows a Nigerian man speaking to security agents locking up his shop in Ghana.
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. #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 @NigeriaGov @DigiCommsNG @ecowas_cedeao
— Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) August 17, 2020
The man claimed in the video that he was asked to pay one million dollars as tax.
Authorities in Ghana dispute this, saying foreigners are only allowed to open a business in Ghana if they invest one million dollars.
A pressure group, the Human Rights Writers Association, has called on the Nigerian government to retaliate against Ghanaian businesses in Nigeria.
Some Nigerians are questioning the rationale behind Ghana’s imposition of conditions, considering agreements on free trade and movement reached by the regional body, ECOWAS.
