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Nigerian border closure : GUTA wants Ghana's eastern border closed 

By Justice Kofi Bimpeh
President for GUTA, Joseph Obeng
President for GUTA, Joseph Obeng
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Ghana Union of Traders Association, GUTA has called for the immediate closure of the eastern border to avoid possible cases of smuggling following weeks of closure of various borders to Benin by Nigeria.

Speaking to Joy FM, the President for GUTA, Joseph Obeng said if Ghanaian authorities do not take steps to close the eastern border to business most of these products will find their way into the Ghanaian market.

His comment was in reaction to the statement of the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana Olufemi Michael Abikoye that Nigeria does not know when they will open their borders for trading. 

"The eastern corridor is being abused by all manner of activities, smuggling of our hard earn currencies, smuggling in of fake and substandard materials and also nonpayment of duties, as Nigeria has closed its borders to us, so Ghana should also stand up now that the borders have been closed to Benin most of these products that have been shipped already are not going to go back to Europe is going to find it way to Ghana, it's also going to be smuggled to affect the same economy, the authorities as a matter of agency should also shut down the eastern corridor to business so that we can also safeguard our economy..."

READ ALSO : Nigeria being unfair with closing of boarders to foreign goods - GUTA

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey this week met with the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana Olufemi Michael Abikoye to deliberate over the issue and to fashion out ways of resolving the problem.

The two also discussed how to curb smuggling, illicit export of weapons and drugs and security challenges in the sub-region.

Nigeria closed its border to Benin on August 20, 2019 in an attempt to stop the smuggling of contraband goods, including food and petrol, across the border, a situation which has had devastating impact on Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour to the west, that has been a key exporter of foodstuffs to Africa’s most populous country.

Ms Botchwey said such an “action should be surgically precise, targeting the source of the problem without creating extreme disruption to trade within the region.”

“The closure of the borders has had considerable disruption to trade in the sub-region with grave consequential economic effects on Ghanaian traders,” she added.

The Minister explained that currently Ghanaian traders, particularly those whose perishable goods were stranded at the borders were losing substantial revenue.

“Continuation of the closure of the border without an end in sight may lead to political tension in countries severely affected,” she stated.

She called for an urgent review of the decision to close the borders to ensure a return to normal regional trade, in the interest of the commitments of West African countries to regional integration.

But the High Commission to Ghana explained that Nigeria is yet to decided whether or not to open its borders for trading.

 

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