This West African Trade War

It is sad to read about trade wars going on between Ghana and Nigeria. It is very pathetic, to say the least, when there is this huge economic opportunity which is up for grabs, and all we see is the locking up of Nigerian stores in the country.

In my opinion, if both countries want to grow their economies, there is the need to relax some of the trade laws and welcome members of the two nations into each other’s country and encourage trade between them.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) had wanted to unite all currencies of its member countries in order to build a sound economy in the sub-region. That single currency was to be called the “Eco.” I believe I shared an opinion on this in The Chronicle giving reasons why that cannot happen with the Francophone countries in our midst.

The Eco was to take effect as legal tender in all Ecowas countries this year, but before one could say “Nkansa,“ our Francophone neighbours went into an alliance with France, their master, and came out with a currency to replace the CFA, which would be pegged to the Euro. This currency was to be called Eco.

Other agreements signed into a contract between France and the West African Francophone countries made the European country to continue managing the affairs of its West African former colonies, as if they were still under colonial rule.

As it is now, the only way West Africa can have a very strong economy is to first unite Ghana’s and Nigeria’s.

Both countries can have a common currency, and I will suggest between the cedi and the naira, one should be for the below hundred units and the other for hundred units and above, like “Ten cedis fifty-five naira.” All trade barriers between the two nations should be abolished, and any Ghanaian could freely trade in Nigeria, and any Nigerian could freely trade in Ghana, of course after legally satisfying the official requirements to have the business established.

Come to think of it, we need Nigeria’s crude oil, and Nigeria needs our salt for its petro-chemical industry. Other commodities which we share can be traded freely among us, the two economic giants in the sub-region.

If we need to grow our Anglophone West Africa economy and become powerful and sound nations, Ghana and Nigeria will first need to unite economically, have a single currency, establish bi-lateral trade between us, break down all trade barriers, have free entry of persons and goods, and establish a policy where a Ghanaian and a Nigerian trader and business person will have the freedom to do business in the other country. As our combined economies grow, the economic power generated could make it possible to add on the rest of the Anglophone countries in the sub-region.

Under the current situation, this cannot be possible. In Ghana, Nigerians are said to be violating laws on retailing, and I presume soon, I truly hope not, Nigerians will descend on Ghanaians in their country doing business.

While all this is going on, I ask “What about other non-African nationals?” Must we always view our fellow Black Africans as a threat to our very existence? Is Ghana not gradually descending into a xenophobic country, where soon, like South Africa, we will start lethal attacks on non-Ghanaian Black Africans. Ghana is way above board to be linked to such irresponsibility. And I will urge the authorities to immediately find a lasting solution to this problem; a solution that will appease both sides.

Again, “What about other non-African nationals?”  We have the Chinese cunningly taking over Africa, and they are here in their numbers making sure they get all they want to build their economy. They have succeeded in destroying our eco-system, and have even descended into retailing and small scale mining, which are the preserve of Ghanaians. They have established themselves as lords in our country, going ahead to even shoot and kill our nationals who they feel pose a threat to their wicked plans. We watch on as the Chinese and other Asians do what they can to weaken our economy, and instead of putting a halt to these people, we descend on poor Nigerians and discipline them.

How many illegally resident Asians, which include Chinese, Lebanese and Syrians, are in Ghana doing business freely, without the authorities examining them?

Why do we turn our anger on fellow Black West Africans and treat them like enemies, when they are not? The average Nigerian will love to do business or settle in Ghana, because they find everything more conducive here than back home. Many do come done here to shop for the weekend. I remember meeting Zach Orji at the Accra Mall, and he gladly obliged to have a photo taken with my daughter.

Nigerians are bringing business here, and we treat them like pests? While the Chinese will want to wreck our economy, the Nigerian will like to grow it so that there will be good reason to bring in his family and friends to stay here and enjoy the peace. We should not forget we have so much in common with lot more Nigerian blood flowing in Ghanaian veins than we have Chinese blood.

We need to consider all Black Africans first before we consider non-Black Africans. In case of any disaster like war and famine, God forbid, the only nation we can quickly run to and feel at home without having to learn what bien merci means is Nigeria.

When will this stop? In the First Republic, a Nigerian born and bred in Ghana and was over fifty years was repatriated to the country of his parents, because he chose to support the opposition United Party.

In the Second Republic, almost every Nigerian was sent packing bag and baggage back to Nigeria. And the Nigerians retaliated in good measure when they made sure that Ghana must Go in the early eighties.

We are one and so we must show love to one another and treat each other as we would want to be treated. Of course, we must find effective ways to deal with the bad nuts, but even in this, we must deal with the individual on individual basis, and not generalise things.

We have to stop this trade war! Ghana and Nigeria both need each other.

Hon Daniel Dugan

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s editorial stance

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