By Ruth Serwaa Asare
The President of the All Nigerian Community in Ghana, Chief Albert Baylor Ashaolu, has urged Ghana and Nigeria to “sit at the table” and find a lasting solution to the recurring trade disputes between their citizens.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show today, September 10, 2025, Chief Ashaolu said the ongoing hostility between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders over retail trade restrictions threatens the long-standing bond between the two countries.
“This matter has lingered for some time now, and it will not help the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Ghana,” he cautioned. “Our governments, the higher leaders of the two countries, should look into this matter and find a lasting solution.”
The tension stems from Ghana’s Investment Promotion Centre Act, which reserves petty trading and small-scale retail for Ghanaians, while requiring foreigners to invest at least $1 million and employ 20 skilled locals if they wish to operate retail businesses. Ghanaian traders accuse Nigerians of breaching this law, undercutting prices, and pushing them out of the market.
But Chief Ashaolu insisted that the law should not treat Nigerians the same as traders from outside Africa, citing historical, cultural, and economic ties. “The same consideration given to foreigners from the West should not be applied to West Africans, especially Nigerians,” he argued. “You can walk from Nigeria into Ghana without borders stopping you. Our forefathers wanted integration, and they would be disappointed to see Africans treating each other this way.”
He also criticised recent attempts by some local trader groups to forcibly close Nigerian shops, describing it as unlawful. “Closing shops without government authority is wrong,” he stressed. “If any enforcement is needed, it should come from official bodies like the police, the GIPC, or the Ghana Revenue Authority – not from other traders. Otherwise, it only fuels chaos and hostility between our people.”
Despite the tensions, Chief Ashaolu remained optimistic that diplomacy and dialogue could resolve the impasse. “Ghana and Nigeria cannot be compared with other countries,” he noted. “We are brothers through business, marriage, and history. We should be finding ways to strengthen this bond, not weaken it.”
One Response
Nonsense. Ghana won’t allow overpopulated Nigerians to invade and create another zoogeria state in Ghana. Nigerians are trying to overpopulate and dominate Ghana. They have no respect for Ghanaians. They claim to be running the Ghanaians economy, and they can buy Ghana. Ghana has notting in common with Nigerians.