Protect our members after winning AfCFTA - Nigeria traders to Akufo-Addo

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to guide against what they describe as needless humiliation on Nigerians citizens sojourning in Ghana.

NANTS notes that the hosting right given to Ghana is indeed a victory for the entire people of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) contrary to happenings to their members; after Ghana's successful hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat.

"We believe that in order to guide against needless humiliation of Ghana’s integrity herein secured by the hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat, your Government will need to weigh down on politicians as well as miscreants who masquerade as leaders and fan the embers of xenophobic attacks against citizens of other nationals trading in Ghana", NANTS president, Ken UKAOHA, Esq signed.

"Unfortunately, just a few days back, it was reported all over Ghanaian media that an MP for Suame Magazine in the Ashanti region, who incidentally is the Majority Leader in the Ghanaian Parliament was calling for an ‘enforcement of laws banning non-Ghanaians from engaging in their legitimate buying and selling in the Country’.

"We therefore urge you Your Excellency, to propel Parliamentary review of such and other domestic laws to come in consonance with extant regional and continental trade laws, which Ghana has willingly signed on to and committed to promote and protect"

"Courtesy of the AfCFTA, and its Secretariat hosting, Your Excellency may wish to note that Ghana has become and assumes the trade capital of Africa; and so, no African citizen should be further subjected, deemed to be or regarded as a foreigner in Ghana again; never again!"

"The collaboration and support mustered by Member States of ECOWAS at ensuring that Ghana secures victory in the bid is a worthy step that should be followed in other international fora as it practically captures the imperatives of unity in conducting the affairs of the region"

"Your Excellency, we are of the strong opinion that the foregoing should be emphasized as it further strengthens the need for brotherliness and fellowship especially in rekindling the spirit of “an ECOWAS of people” as succinctly captured and enshrined in the region’s Vision 2020"