Clement Boateng is the National Organiser, Ghana Union of Traders Association. He speaks on the closure of Nigeria’s land borders and how it is affecting businesses in his country in this interview with ALEXANDER OKERE

Why did your organisation condemn the closure of land borders by the Nigerian government?

It (border closure) wasn’t a right decision because it infringes on the ECOWAS protocol. The foundation of the ECOWAS protocol is the free movement of people, goods and services. So, if for close to three months, the borders have been closed and people cannot move freely, goods cannot exit or enter, then it defeats the ECOWAS protocol. That was the reason our association issued a statement condemning the closure of the borders by the Nigerian authority.

How specifically has this affected Ghanaian traders?

It is not only Ghanaian traders that the closure has affected; it has affected almost all the ECOWAS countries that are using the borders – it affects Benin (Republic), Togo, Ivory Coast and Liberia. Our association issued that statement for the purpose of all the (affected) countries.

Have you received any response from the ECOWAS Commission over the closure?

We are amazed that the ECOWAS Commission has not said something or commented on the closure of the border. Before Nigeria closed its borders, it should have done some consultations with the countries that would be affected by the closure.

Are you saying no consultation was done?

No consultation was done before we realised that the borders were closed. We can even attest to the fact that Nigerians are complaining about the closure because Nigerian farmers cannot export their products.

One of the reasons given by the Nigerian government for the closure was the need to stop smuggling, promote trans-border security. What’s your reaction to that?

Well, if those were the reasons given for the closure of the borders, especially regarding security, I wouldn’t have much problem with that. But the manner the whole exercise was done wasn’t the best. We are worried about that. The Nigerian government should have informed other ECOWAS members, their security agencies, about the exercise it wanted to embark on to check security issues, rather than just closing the borders. Now, people’s goods that are perishable have gone bad and people have lost huge sums of money. I don’t think it is the best.

Can you quantify how much your members have lost since the closure?

I cannot quantify what we have lost. I cannot specifically say the amount that has been lost. But as far as I am concerned, we have lost a huge sum of money.

Can you list some of the goods from Ghana that have been affected?

Nigeria has something known as ECOWAS trade mobilisation scheme which means that all the 50-member states can send goods that are manufactured by each country to each country. But for three to four years, Nigeria banned 41 items which cannot be imported and the ECOWAS Commission is not saying anything. Some of the goods banned by Nigeria are poultry products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and furniture and I don’t think this is the best thing to do because one of the reasons for the establishment of ECOWAS is promote trade among the member-states with goods manufactured by them.

Nigeria had also alleged a breach of the ECOWAS protocol on transit demand by some neighbouring countries that tamper with the seals of transit containers from Nigeria. How would you respond to that?

Well, if there was a breach, Nigeria has every right to complain to the trade department of the ECOWAS to sort it out. Anything that breaches the sovereignty of a country within the ECOWAS commission must not be allowed.

Do you think Nigeria’s decision has any implication on its economy?

I don’t think the closure of the borders was the best thing to do because in September alone, Nigeria made about N115 billion, which which was a boost to its revenue. But Nigeria thinks the closure is good and wants to extend it to 2020, that’s why my association has complained and our government must talk with them (Nigeria). They (Nigeria) said they were going to open a special corridor for us to channel goods from Ghana going there and the other way round. But we want a total opening of the borders. However, if the special corridor is in the interim, I think we will take it like that.

Smuggling of illicit food items is a major problem affecting local economies. What has the Ghanaian Trade Union done to sanction its members who may be involved in smuggling?

As far as we are concerned, none of our members has been engaged in smuggling. I visited Nigeria twice or thrice in a year and no member of my association has been arrested for engaging in smuggling. I can say that Ghanaians don’t engage in smuggling.

How does the union intend to implement the proposed boycott of made-in-Nigeria products, according to the reported statement you issued?

I don’t know where that came from. Maybe one of my regions issued that statement. But as far as I am concerned, the national association has not come out with any statement of that nature. I will have to check from my regions. As far as the national (body) is concerned, we haven’t called for any boycott.

Why is your country not happy with the border closure?

The Ghanaian government is not happy and that was why, when we complained to the government, our foreign affairs minister had to quickly rush to Abuja to engage the Nigerian authorities. That resulted in an agreement that they will open a corridor for us. The Ghanaian government is working things out with the Nigerian government.

What has been the impact of the border closure on Ghanaian families?

The impact has been negative. We also have a number of Nigerians who are engaged in business in Ghana. They bring their goods from Nigeria to trade but they are all complaining. It is taking a negative toll on business and it is not only Ghanaians that are complaining.

What will your association or Ghanaians do if the current situation continues for a long time?


We are praying that it doesn’t continue. But if it continues, we will not have any option than to look somewhere else.

What exactly do you mean?

We can go anywhere. One of the reasons we are doing business with Nigeria is because it is close to us. Even if you are flying in, in 45 minutes, you are in Lagos; you can do your shopping and come back. If you go by bus, in eight or nine hours, you will be in Lagos. But if it comes to a point that the borders are not open and business cannot go on, we won’t have any other alternative than to go to Dubai or Europe and bring our goods from there. We may boycott Nigeria for Dubai and other countries if this continues.

Do you think Nigeria’s economic will feel the brunt in the long run?

It will. I belong to the spare parts industry and my business counterparts are complaining that they have not been making any sales since the closure of the border. So, in the long run, it is the Nigerian economy that will be affected because they (Nigerian traders) will not make sales to be able to pay their taxes or import goods so that the Nigerian government can generate revenue.

How best can African countries address the problems associated with trans-border trade?

The solution to the problem is for the authorities to open their borders and make their security agencies patrol the borders day and night to check smuggling. Those doing genuine business should be allowed to take their goods across the borders.

MrFourSHIRTS:
So naa 9ia dey feed all these countries yet they disregard us...

During the South African xenophobic attacks you won't believe what most of these people were tweeting...

When you handle people with kids gloves, they tend to think they can spar with you.

Johans1991:
U want Nigeria to open border but you pursue Dangote from your country.
You lobbied Toyota to site their production plant in Ghana knowingly well that u don't have d market to give them. You were targeting Nigerian market now we don Wise up .
We will all go back to patronized innoson motors.
Any company that want the 200 millions Nigerians to patronized their goods should come and site their company in Nigerian. We have the land,the manpower and the market.

Johans1991:
U want Nigeria to open border but you pursue Dangote from your country.
You lobbied Toyota to site their production plant in Ghana knowingly well that u don't have d market to give them. You were targeting Nigerian market now we don Wise up .
We will all go back to patronized innoson motors.
Any company that want the 200 millions Nigerians to patronized their goods should come and site their company in Nigerian. We have the land,the manpower and the market.

The truth is gradually coming out!!!

Una get light

psychologygh:
go and feed your 200 million

Wiseandtrue:

The truth is gradually coming out!!!

Una get light

Wiseandtrue:
Shey Buhari wey no get sense, you dey talk all these sensible grammar to

The guy wants to cripple this economy

Try the northern borders, I learnt he's not strict there

That's our nepotistic president for you!!!

Wiseandtrue:

The truth is gradually coming out!!!

Una get light

presidential:

Must you disparage your President all the time. Initially you use to make very wise comment, but now you just spew thrash all the time.
What is crippling in an economic decision that local producers are benefitting from. All right thinking citizens across different divides are applauding?
You may have personal hatred for your President, but this is our National interest and we the right thinking citizens of Nigeria are in full support.

Abeg leave my mouth na me get am!!!

Buhari did worse, where were you then

Initially I thought he had something to offer before I realized we have been scammed by the father of modern day Yahoo

What's good about this stupid decision

Is it possible for ALL Nigerians to be into the same occupation

What about those you encouraged to register their businesses Have you thought about what they and their families are going through

Why not cancel ALL the universities and turn them to a UNIVERSITY OF FARMING

How can a government that means well put all it egg in one basket

What economy can survive that

Leave the North where things are extremely cheap!!! Leave your comfort zone and remove the log from your eyes so that you can actually see the havoc this devilish policies is wrecking then come back and talk to me!!!

Wiseandtrue:

Abeg leave my mouth na me get am!!!

Buhari did worse, where were you then

What's good about this stupid decision

Multiplier7:


Did you just call that decision Stupid decision?

How high are you?

It's stupid cause Buhari does not understand the lay man!!!

Why budget billions for himself every year

Are we not in the same Nigeria

He should come down to the masses level, then I will know he means business!!!

A good president listens to the cries of the people he's leading but it appears he still has ear infections!!!

Wiseandtrue:

Abeg leave my mouth na me get am!!!

Buhari did worse, where were you then

What's good about this stupid decision

Is it possible for ALL Nigerians to be into the same occupation

What about those you encouraged to register their businesses Have you thought about what they and their families are going through

Why not cancel ALL the universities and turn them to a UNIVERSITY OF FARMING

How can a government that means well put all it egg in one basket

What economy can survive that

Leave the North where things are extremely cheap!!! Leave your comfort zone and remove the log from your eyes so that you can actually see the havoc this devilish policies is wrecking then come back and talk to me!!!

Johans1991:
unfortunately you can only wail

Wiseandtrue:

It's stupid cause Buhari does not understand the lay man!!!

Why budget billions for himself every year

Are we not in the same Nigeria

He should come down to the masses level, then I will know he means business!!!

A good president listens to the cries of the people he's leading but it appears he still has ear infections!!!

princemillla:



Go n rest pls. You arent making sane comments.

This is the best decision so far. Buy Nigeria to grow Nigeria. Let's tackle that first we will get to the issue of embezzlement soon.

Tell that to Buhari!!!

When will he patronize our hospitals or visit our tourist sites

SMH

Wiseandtrue:

It's stupid cause Buhari does not understand the lay man!!!

Why budget billions for himself every year

Are we not in the same Nigeria

He should come down to the masses level, then I will know he means business!!!

A good president listens to the cries of the people he's leading but it appears he still has ear infections!!!

Multiplier7:


Honey is for your own good but you don't know yet. This fuel scarcity we Nigerians normally experience every Christmas period is not gonna happen due to the blockage of fuel smuggling out of the country


So indirectly you will travel with peace of mind and still come back no changes in transport fares

Isn't that for your benefit at least?
Among other benefits

That's why I said leave your comfort zone!!!

Who told you that there's no hike or there won't be hike in transportation come December

For your information, for instance, during the GEJ era, from my place to Oshodi is N100, N150 max but now it's from N250 upwards imagine what festive period will look like!!!

Go to the market, before the arrival of your all knowing president, N50kg is N8000 but now it's N20,000 upwards

So I ask once again, how's all these policies in favour of the masses

Wiseandtrue:

That's why I said leave your comfort zone!!!

Who told you that there's no hike or there won't be hike in transportation come December

For your information, for instance, during the GEJ era, from my place to Oshodi is N100, N150 max but now it's from N250 upwards imagine what festive period will look like!!!

Go to the market, before the arrival of your all knowing president, N50kg is N8000 but now it's N20,000 upwards

So I ask once again, how's all these policies in favour of the masses

princemillla:
Won tun gbedee!!!

I must say Ghana is one of the country Milking from Nigeria economy. Since the closure only ghana has been making noise. Wetting self Na una border?

Multiplier7:


And you think you know better than the CBN governor, Minister of Finance, The Economic team set up By the President comprising Charles Soludo?


The President is not a fool. He consulted the main men before taking that decision.

So relax because you didn't know what they know okay

I really don't know and I am not interested in knowing

I am more into the realities on ground!!!

Are they not there to serve the people

Why so much hardship

These policies of theirs doesn't affect them so why should I care

Soludo, and the CBN Governor should dump their office job and go into farming 100% with little or no capital then I can understand them!!!

Let's all stop office work and face farming, Buhari should reduce most expenses !!!

HORs should also be on minimum wage

Then let's see if they will know better than Nigerians

Can Zahra or Yussuf be thriving on this current proposed minimum wages Including all these tax deductions here and there

Tell me!!!

We are amazed that the ECOWAS Commission has not said something or commented on the closure of the border. 

Our foreign affairs minister had to quickly rush to Abuja to engage the Nigerian authorities. That resulted in an agreement that they will open a corridor for us. 

googi:
How much does it take to distinguish free trade to illegal trade?

Everyone wants to bleed Nigeria, even Nigerians, the worst smugglers of imported goods and services into Nigeria.