Ghana-Nigerian Traders Brouhaha: Tony Agu Appeals to Ghanaians to Maintain Peace in the Context of ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Policy

I am appealing to the Ghanaian Authorities to ensure Nigerian retail traders are protected in Accra and Kumasi. This trade disputes had been on and on from time.It was once settled and the obnoxious trade permit introduce does not augur well in the interest of Ecowas trade liberalization policy.

We have a lot of Ghanaian traders in Nigeria working under a conducive environment without harassment from the Nigerian Authorities. The actions of Ghanaian traders is sending wrong signals, not only to Nigerian investors but all, also to global investment in Ghana. Ghana should remember that most investment in their domain were mainly Nigerian owned, especially the Estates development at Trasaco, Kempisky Hotel in Accra and host of others are partly Nigerian owned. There are other investments being initiated by Nigerians.

If they don’t want Nigerians to be involved in retail trading, then it send wrong signals to others who want to invest in other areas of the economy. Let us not do what the Europeans and others could not do.The concept of African Union is defeated with what is emanating from Ghana on the retail traders brouhaha. Why must we relegate Kwame Nkrumah’s pan African ideology? Ghana was best during that era where Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had his ideology embraced by people mainly from other part of West Africa working in the Government sector.

Ghana borrowed their first seafarers from Nigeria to mann the Black Star Line ships and also Port Workers from the Nigerian Port in Warri. If they are doubting then they should check from their records, people like Captain Olu Haastruup, Captain Paul Nwoko, Chief Engineer Otobo and others were part of the formation of the Black Star Line of Ghana.

Have they forgotten Nigeria was supplying coal from Enugu free to Ghana to aid the movement of their locomotive engines. Nigeria had been sending relief packages to Ghana during the hard time. In 2000, President Obasanjo sent in brand new trucks to Ghana Police with financial package to aid the welfare of the Ghana Police. They should stop harassing the Nigerian traders because we are not war. Let them be civil and to maintain Peace and order.

In the 1950’s, during post independence era half of the total workforce of the Ghana Police were mainly Nigerians from the Northern constabularies and few Yorubas. Today, the Hausa language spoken in Ghana was as a result of intermarriage involving Nigerians who served in the West African frontier force stationed at Teshi, in Accra. I am trying to remind the Ghanaians of History. The people of Accra are Yorubas, migrated from Ife so they should always retrace their steps when confronting Nigerians on issues of mutual benefit.

Election is coming, if it is part of political ploy to win the hearts of the Ghanaian electorates then its unfortunate. The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Abuja need to wake up, their sluggish approach towards unpalatable matters like this need to be nipped in the bud as soon as possible, then why the presence of our High Commission in Accra, Ghana. Our foreign mission lackadaisical approach towards Nigerians in diaspora is very disheartening and disappointing.

Let me be very polite on my message to the Ghanaians, they should remember tomorrow might be a brand new day for the Nigerian retail traders. Those in Accra and Kumasi, excluding Takoradi are just wasting their time, the bunch of illiterates among them should remember Government policy changes and it could result in compensation to the Nigerian traders in the possible future.

Busia’s hatred for pan Africanism is playing itself under this regime. In 1970, Nigerians were driven out of Ghana under Aliens Compliance Order of 1970 and the end result was the total lost of revenue by the Ghana Railway and Ports Authority for time in the history of the formation of the organization. The history of Ghana can not be complete without mentioning Nigeria or Nigerians.

Takoradi Harbour initial construction was done with the involvement of Nigerians and Liberians being part of the workforce in 1928. One of the early arrivals in Sekondi Takoradi who supplied gravels and quarry stones for the construction of the Port was a Nigerian of Yoruba origin. He had arrived Ghana in 1898, and his grandson became the Chairman of Ghana National Football League Clubs under Ghana Football Association. We had a chat last two weeks ago.

WHERE IS NIDO GHANA?.

I did sent message, including audio to the leadership of NIDO (Nigerians in Diaspora-Africa) to prevail on our Nigerian High Commission to intervened in this matter and immediately received their response, they are on top of the situation. If we want to maintain African Unity then we should have a solid integration and solidarity based on mutual respect.

The most reverred and civilized people in Ghana today are my people of Sekondi Takoradi. You won’t see them belittling themselves, many are not happy with unfolding scenario in Accra. They are the wisest people in Ghana today and only the best comes from the West. I would not tolerate any shit on the afformentioned submission from any quarters. Most Ghanaians who had problem in Nigeria and went to Prison were all released with my involvement and personal money paid.

I am appealing to the Ghana Investment Promotion Council not to be harsh on their rules/regulations of doing retail business towards Non Ghanaians. We want peaceful coexistence in retail trading.

TONY AGU
Marine Consultant,
Chartered Ship broker,
Maritime Historian.