Two-time governor of Anambra State and business mogul, Peter Obi has condemned the recent clampdown on Nigerian businesses in Ghana by the Ghanaian Authorities as unfair and against all efforts at uniting Africans.
Obi who was the Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the last elections, lamented the unfavourable business environment being created for Nigerian businesses in Ghana, adding that it was unfair and unjust to close up shops and offices of businesses that were legally registered and of which their owners were law-abiding residents.
Obi spoke through a Press Release made available to TNC on Thursday.
He described the $1 million business registration fees and taxes allegedly levied on such Nigerian businesses by the Ghana Investment Promotion Council, as outrageous, regretting that Ghanaian authorities were subjecting foreign businesses to such terrible conditions, without minding the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on them.
In his view, governments should be encouraging local and foreign investments with palliatives for more post-COVID economic recovery, instead of choking them with harsh economic conditions.
Describing the actions of Ghanaian Authorities as undiplomatic, Obi said there were more peaceful channels of communication that would have been followed.
“Recent reports of clampdown and forceful closure of business premises belonging to Nigerians in Ghana is not only unfair and unjust, but it clearly negates the true spirit of African unity. Governments around the world, knowing the huge losses and setbacks incurred by businesses due to the global coronavirus pandemic, are doing their best to revive local and foreign investments. Suppressing Nigerian businesses in Ghana at this critical time should not be seen as a right step,” Obi said.
The former Anambra Governor urged the Federal Government to urgently wade into the matter and save Nigerians in Ghana, whose means of livelihood were obviously being threatened by the recent actions of the Ghanaian Authorities.
