A former House of Representatives member, Hon Mashood Mustapha has called for an amicable resolution to the trade discrepancies between Nigeria and Ghana.
Mustapha, who also holds the chieftaincy title of Olumo of Yorubaland in Ghana, made the call in a statement sent to newsmen on Friday.
He said the two countries have long term trade interest and various common political and cultural heritages as far back as the early 60s which need to be sustained.
He recalled that the immediate past President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, is related to Offa community in Kwara State, adding that most Nigerians see Ghana as a second home and vice-versa. Hence, the need for the two countries to be each other’s brothers’ keeper.
Mustapha commended the maturity demonstrated by the two countries in handling the matter so as to guide against the incident in South Africa during the period of xenophobic attack where Nigerians and some other foreign nationals were senselessly killed and their properties destroyed.
He further commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sending a powerful delegation to Ghana led by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to find a permanent and lasting peace among the two nations over their present trade disputes and further deepening their diplomatic relationship.
He called for greater bilateral and trade ties that would guide against a repeat of the present perceived harsh trade crackdown between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress cheiftain said the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world calls for caution amongst Africa countries, especially, as it has to do with their bilateral trade relations. He urged neighbouring countries to form a united front to surmount the economic challenges presently ravaging the world.
He maintained that Nigeria and Ghana are the largest and second-largest economies in West Africa, more so that Nigeria has been a very important source of investment in Ghana.
He implored the Oba of Yoruba Community in Ghana, Oba Hamzat Peregrimo Brimah to urgently organize a stakeholders’ meeting between the concerned citizens, the various traders’ associations and the government of Ghana to find a lasting solution to the impasse.