Ghana and Nigeria have renewed their commitment to deepening economic cooperation, with both countries seeking to remove barriers that continue to constrain cross-border trade and bilateral commerce.
The two countries are aiming to increase trade volumes beyond the current 20 percent as part of broader efforts to advance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The commitment was made when Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, received the letters of credence from Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to Ghana, Shehu ILU Barde.
Mr Ablakwa said stronger Ghana-Nigeria economic ties would be critical to achieving greater regional integration, particularly through the removal of obstacles that hinder the movement of goods and services between the two countries.
He also called on the Nigerian government and other ECOWAS member states to build confidence in the proposed ECO single currency, arguing that its successful implementation could facilitate trade and strengthen economic integration across the sub-region.
The meeting also touched on concerns surrounding alleged attacks on properties belonging to Ghanaian business mogul Sir Sam Jonah in Nigeria.
The Foreign Affairs Minister appealed to the High Commissioner-designate to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents involving Sir Sam Jonah’s Mobus Properties.
In response, Mr Shehu ILU Barde expressed appreciation to the Government of Ghana and reaffirmed the longstanding cordial relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
He assured Mr Ablakwa that he would look into the concerns relating to the properties and work towards addressing the issues raised.
