Diplomacy: Buhari holds meeting with Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo

*Closure of Nigerian shops in Ghana contravenes ECOWAS protocol on free movement of citizens of member states, and trade liberalisation scheme, says Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker House of Reps

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of the recent altercations between the two West African countries, resulting in increased tensions over the closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed doors with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT.

Bashir Ahmad, President’s Buhari’s Personal Assistant (PA) on New Media, confirmed this development Sunday, September 20, on his verified Twitter handle.

Though he did not give details of the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders, Bashir posted pictures in which the Nigerian leader could be seen accompanying his guest out of the Villa after the meeting.

Recall that the closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana has heightened tensions between the two countries of late.

Following the development, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, had to summon Ms. Iva Denoo, Ghana’s Charge d’Affaires to Nigeria, for discussions.

Onyeama had also met with representatives of Nigerian traders in Ghana, led by Jasper Emenike, National President of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN), and Ruth Ango, National Director of the organisation, over the burning issue.

Likewise, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, also visited Ghana September 2, 2020, all with a view to exploring ways of resolving the matter harmoniously.

Gbajabiamila stated that the closure of the Nigerian shops in Ghana contravenes the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of citizens of member states, and trade liberalisation scheme.

Agency report also indicates that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) adopted in 1979 with an agreement on agricultural, artisanal handicrafts, and unprocessed products, and extended to industrial products in 1990, is the main framework for trade and market integration in ECOWAS

The agreement addresses protocols on the free movement of goods, persons, and transportation.

The scheme’s main pursuit of consolidating the free trade area is guided by the National Approval Committee that informs the member states.

Similarly, Article (3) of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS on trade and market integration stipulates the removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of trade policies for the establishment of a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union, a Common Market and an eventual culmination in to a Monetary and Economic Union in West Africa.

The Ghanaian Government was said to have initiated a meeting between Buhari and Akufo-Addo ahead of the one they held behind closed doors Sunday, report said.