News:
September 4, 2020
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to do whatever is necessary to strengthen the already-strong relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
According to him, it is important for the progress of West Africa and indeed Africa that Ghana and Nigeria are seen to be working together and has assured that the two countries would continue down that path.
The president made this known on Thursday September 3, 2020 when the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Rt Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House, at the end of his two day visit to Ghana at the invitation of the Ghana’s Speaker Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye.
Welcoming the Nigerian Speaker and his delegation to Ghana, President Akufo-Addo explained that when the statement from the Nigerian Minister of Information, “warning Ghana over incessant harassment of Nigerians” came out he was very much alarmed.
“I was alarmed because, if they were the sentiments and attitudes of the Federal Government of Nigeria, then we were in a really serious problem”, he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued by saying, “I thought it is best I speak to Mr. President (Muhammadu Buhari) as soon as possible, which I did and then I was informed by the Speaker of (Ghana’s Parliament) that he had taken an independent course of action in the matter by speaking to you (Speaker of the Nigerian’s Parliament) and invited you to come to Ghana to talk about the issues that emerged from the statement”, he said.
And commended Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila for taking up the invitation and as a result of the meeting between the two countries the way forward is acceptable to him.
Again, the idea of legislation to promote a Ghana-Nigeria Business Council, that will have superintendence over trade and investment matters between the two countries is well overdue and added that, it is events that produce institutions, and the time has come for it to be done, he said.
In addition, it would be a good idea to set up a joint Ministerial Committee for the Ministers of both sides who would be responsible for shepherding Ghana-Nigeria issues and reporting to both presidents at any time when matters occur and how they should be resolved.
And urged Ghanaians and Nigerians to build on the strong relations that have existed between the two countries at the very least to make sure that the current status quo is preserved.
He assured Speaker Gbajabiamila that the Nigerian population in Ghana are safe and many of them have lived for centuries trading and doing business in Ghana without any difficulties, and the culture of cooperation and brotherliness will continue.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com