Ghanaian Speaker Urges Nigeria to Review List of Banned Items

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Speaker of the Ghanian Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin, has called on the Nigerian Government to review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific commodities into the Nigerian market from other countries, including Ghana.

He said the request underscored by the resolution as captured in the communique of May 31, 2021, following the efforts by the leadership of Ghana and Nigeria parliaments to pursue parliamentary diplomacy towards finding a lasting solution to the trade impasse between some Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in Ghana.

Bagbin made the request yesterday while addressing members of the House of Representatives in Abuja.

He said the visit of Ghanaian lawmakers was sequel to the invitation by the leadership of the House to host them and to continue with efforts to actualise the vision.

The Ghanaian Speaker commended the Nigerian Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for his cutting-edge parliamentary diplomacy and visionary initiative of cementing the already great and cordial historic diplomatic relations between Ghana and Nigeria.

Bagbin said he was in Nigeria to help bring finality to the impasse, while pledging his commitment and that of the Parliament of Ghana to contribute in every way possible to end the impasse between traders of the two countries.

He added that the Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act under his leadership of the Parliament of Ghana has appointed a seven-member committee as Ghana’s delegation to the Joint Committee of Eminent Persons of both legislatures.

Bagbin noted that the committee would interact with their Nigerian counterparts towards passing the ‘Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act’.

He said the Act would set up the proposed ‘Ghana-Nigeria Business Council’, which is intended to provide the legal and institutional framework to sustain the continued friendship and business interests of the people.

The Speaker stated further that: “We are making progress in resolving the concerns of the Nigerian traders in Ghana. It has been a joint effort between our two countries. That is always the way to go if we are interested in the peace and development of our countries. I am confident that the intervention of our two legislatures in this effort will yield results.

“To this end, it will be highly appreciated if the government of Nigeria will review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific commodities into the Nigerian market from other countries, including Ghana.”

Bagbin stressed that the coming into being of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signals that Ghana is open for business and mutually beneficial investments.