How Ghana may lead ECOWAS gang up against Nigeria over border closure
Strong signals are emerging from Ghana and other sister ECOWAS economies in possible gang up against Nigerian products that dominate the regional market if the border closure continues without end.
The signals further indicate that none of the West African economies especially Benin Republic is ready to comply with Nigeria’s terms and conditions for reopening the closed border.
The key condition for reopening the border by Federal Government to neighbouring countries is to among other things, stop allowing the imports of goods meant for Nigeria in their ports.
Recall that the border was shut since August 21, 2019 on the initial pretext that a joint drill is being carried out by the Nigerian Customs and Immigration Service, but the narrative started changing when the 28 days elapsed to mean that the Federal Government closed border to tame smuggling of rice and petroleum products after all.
Already, leading trade unions in Ghana have started mobilizing members for total boycott of Nigerian products as payback to government’s action in shutting down borders.
The lead body, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and other trade unions believe such coordinated action will among other things; force the Nigerian government to open up its land borders for foreign goods.
Analysts say if Ghana can effectively mobilize other nations in the ECOWAS region against Nigerian products; there will be serious drawback to the ailing economy of Nigeria in terms of glut and dumping of produced goods which will translate to massive retrenchments and possible close up of manufacturing firms.
Checks show that among the first target Nigerian products include Dangote Cement which has forced many other cement companies across the region to drop in output due to high access and affordability along the West coast.
