The President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng says Nigeria’s extension of its Benin border closure does not only breach the ECOWAS Protocol on free movement of goods, but also an annulment of the ECOWAS Treaty.
Dr. Obeng tasked government to act swiftly to also protect the Ghanaian Traders and the country from goods that may be smuggled through Ghana’s borders due to Nigeria’s action.
Dr. Obeng also warned that Nigeria’s consistent unilateral decision on the blind side of ECOWAS will not augur well for the successful implementation of the ECOWAS single currency, (ECO) next year.
In a related development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry says it is working hard to ensure that traders stranded on the Nigerian border with Benin return to the country.
It is still negotiating with the Nigerian government to open its borders for trading activities to resume.
In an interview with Radio Ghana, the Head of Communications at the Trade Ministry, Prince Boakye Boateng explained that though the Nigerian government says the closure of its border is as a result of measures to secure the country from illegal exports from Benin, officials from the Ministry have been to Nigeria and are still in talks to deal with the issue amicably.
Mr. Boakye Boateng speaking to Radio Ghana, noted that a list comprising Ghanaian traders stranded in NigerIa is being compiled in order to help them.
