Ghana-Nigeria feud: Gbajabiamila advocates use of legislative diplomacy in resolving issues

September 03 14:38 2020 by The Ajasa News Print This Article

By Martin Odiete, Abuja

Speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives, Olufemi Gbajabiamila has advocated the use of legislative diplomacy in resolving issues between Nigeria and Ghana.

He said this during a round table discussion in Parliament in the occassion of his visit to the Speaker of Ghana House of Representative Rt. Hon. Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye. He referred to the economic, social and political ties that bind Ghana and Nigeria together. This he said, is most appropriate, since he and Speaker Oquaye, had on previous occasions, worked together, using the same tools to resolve economic issues not only between the two countries but in the sub region.

The Speakers are in talks to find solutions to the challenges brought about as a result of Ghana’s implementation of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 2013, Act 865.

Discussions so far have been on how the implementation of Act 865 can be implemented in a manner that will not render Nigerian traders in Ghana jobless since most of them have had their shops closed and some fines levied at them in accordance with the provisions of Act 865. Ghana’s sovereignty and national interest in the matter has been at the front burner in all the discussions held so far.

Participants in the discussions have included the twelve member delegation from Nigeria, Ghana’s Trade Minister, the Minister for National Security, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of the GIPC, the Chairman and Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Clerk to Parliament, and some key Parliamentary staff

Ghana’s trade minister Alan Kyeremanteng explained the context of the GIPC Act and its implementation and said that it was not targeted at any particular nationals and definitely not Nigerians. He outlined ways by which the two countries can have mutual trade relations with the requisite benefits.

Speaker Oquaye while assuring Nigeria of Ghana’s good intentions also pointed out that reports on the matter may have escalated tensions and cautioned that private or commercial arrangements between individuals and organizations of the two countries should not be confused with governments’ engagements. He also encouraged the use of diplomacy in the resolutions.

 
Both countries are keen on finding a lasting solution to the matter.