Ghana and Nigeria’s persistent trade war must
be resolved through the adoption of strategic
and innovative ways to deepen social and
economic diplomacy within the sub-region,
Ambassador William Azumah Awinador-Kanyirige,
Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, has said.
Trade relations between the two leading nations
in the West African sub-region -- with a combined
population of 200 million -- has been chequered,
with both sides accusing each other every so
often of protectionist tactics.
“We don’t have any major problem, we just have
to be strategic and innovative in solving this
challenge. There are certain challenges which
have emerged daily during business interactions,
let’s see how best to resolve them,” Ambassador
Awinador-Kanyirige told the B&FT on the
sidelines of the ‘Doing Business in Ghana II’
forum organised by the Ghana-Nigeria Business
Council (GNBC).
The forum, among other objectives, was aimed
at fostering unity and cordial relations between
the two countries. It was also meant to further
improve trade ties which underpin both countries’
mutual effort to grow their economies.
The Council was formed to provide a platform for
stimulating economic development, social and
business interaction among members. It is also
to promote trade relations for the purpose of
national development between both countries
through a regular exchange of information
among members.
The forum brought together participants from
the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC),
Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Immigration
Service, and business chieftains from both
countries.
Ambassador Awinador-Kanyirige encouraged the
two countries to educate their nationals on the
various ECOWAS trade protocols, to enable them
operate within the laws of member-states and
help drive trade. He observed that there is a
large pool of Ghanaian and Nigerian
professionals in the diaspora with wonderful
talent and ideas, and the two countries need to
develop measures that tap into it.
“We should tap into the energy and talent of the
professionals in the diaspora by using our
diplomatic missions abroad. There are a lot of
young graduate professionals in Europe, Canada,
the US and other places. Many of them have
been energised; when they hear success stories
in Ghana and Nigeria they feel proud, they want
to be part of the success stories. We need to
put measures in place to attract them,” he
stated.
Currently, Ghana and Nigeria are at the forefront
of economic integration in the West African sub-
region. The two countries account for as much
as 61 percent of the population and a
remarkable 68 percent of the Gross Domestic
Product of the ECOWAS region.
Nigeria accounts for almost 10 percent of
Ghana’s foreign trade volume whereas Ghana is
listed as the 9th largest trade partner for
Nigeria.
Ghana remains Nigeria’s largest trade partner
and favourite investment hub in the West Africa
sub-region, as Ghana imports the largest share
of all Nigerian oil exports in the West African
sub-region. In the financial sector there are a
number of Nigerian banks now trading in Ghana,
thereby making both countries more competitive
and prosperous.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan, Nigerian High
Commissioner to Ghana, urged Ghanaian
business executives to expand their frontiers to
the Nigeria market since the country boasts a
large population and its attendant opportunities.
“Businessmen operating in both countries need
to cooperate to improve on trade operations, so
as to promote economic development between
Ghana and Nigeria that will attract foreign direct
investment inflows,” Ambassador Onafowokan
said.
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, a Deputy Minister
of Trade and Industry, said Ghana and Nigeria
should deepen relations beyond trade and
diplomacy and look further into areas of culture
and social ties. “Government is committed to
supporting events like this to promote business
operation in the country. I urge companies doing
business in Ghana to consider the country’s laws
and regulations, because the country will not
compromise on its laws,” he stated.
Mrs. Edith Dankwa, Chief Executive Officer
Business and Financial Times, who chaired the
business forum, said although the financial and
Eurozone crises may have subsided there
remains considerable unease -- including in West
Africa, which calls for harnessing the region’s
resources and pulling together as Africans.
She indicated that for years Ghana has
positioned itself as the ‘Gateway to West Africa’.
resulting in a flurry of policy interventions and
activities by successive governments to make
the country attractive for foreign direct
investment.
“Much emphasis has been on the attraction of
investors from Europe, North America and lately
Asia and Latin America; it is equally fair to note
that the favourable business environment
occasioned by the implementation of a series of
reform policies has attracted a number of
investors from within the African region. In
particular, we have seen the proliferation of
South African and Nigerian investment in the
retail, communications and banking sectors.”
Mrs. Dankwa added that: “We need to do more
in making sure that the dreams of West African
economic integration through ECOWAS and
African economic integration through the African
Union, which both Ghana and Nigerian have
championed for decades, become a reality in our
lifetime."
Mr. Reginald Laryea, Chairman of the GNBC, said
the Council was formed with a vision of building
on and creating new avenues and opportunities
for strengthening the age-old bilateral socio-
economic bonds of both countries.
He said as the two largest economies in the
West African bloc, the relationship between
Ghana and Nigeria must be viewed as very
crucial since the two countries are at the
forefront of economic integration. “I implore our
political leaders in both countries, trade experts,
and business leaders to work tirelessly in helping
remove existing trade barriers, however small
they may be, so as to accelerate socio-economic
growth within the sub-region.
“I am confident that Ghana Nigeria Business
Council will become a busy platform for
stimulating the growth of investment and
productivity in fulfillment of the shared vision of
our two nations,” Mr. Laryea said.

Unity is the key. But i really do not appreciate the hostile ghanian environment for nigerian businesses.