The Ghanaian Government, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific goods and commodities into the Nigerian market, from countries including Ghana.
Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Hon Alban Suman Kingsford Bagbin, made the plea in Abuja while addressing the House of Representatives during a plenary session presided over by the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Ghanaian Speaker also decried the low level of trade amongst African countries, saying out of about US$460billion in trade volume, only US$69billion was transacted among African nations, the situation he described as unencouraging.
The Ghanaian Speaker disclosed that the Ghanaian Parliament was making efforts at resolving the concerns of the Nigerian traders in Ghana through a joint effort between the two countries.
He said that his leadership had appointed a seven-member committee as Ghana’s delegation to the Joint committee of eminent persons of both nation’s legislatures to ensure the enactment of the Ghana-Nigeria friendship act.
According to him, “that is always the way to go if we are interested in the peace and development of our countries. I am confident that the intervention of our two legislatures in this effort will yield results. Whilst at it, it is said that it must be peace without victory.
“Only peace between equals can last. To this end, it will be highly appreciated if the Government of Nigeria will review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific goods and commodities into the Nigerian market, from countries including Ghana
“This request is underscored by the resolution as captured in the communique of 31st May 2021 referred to supra. I have no doubt, Speaker, under your sterling leadership of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an institution of measureless might and majesty, Nigeria can fine-tune the prohibition list to align with contemporary international trade practices.”
On the Africa Continental Free Trade, the lawmaker said “the coming into being of the African Continental Free Trade Area signals that we are open for business and mutually beneficial investments. Indeed, Africa’s prosperity depends largely on Intra African trade. An increase in trade volumes is the surest way to deepen regional integration in Africa.
According to him, “the low levels of trade among African countries as compared to trade with other parts of the world constitute one of the defining characteristics of our continued poverty.
“Data available from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) indicates that in 2019 Africa’s total volume of trade was about US$460billion, however only US$69billion of this huge volume of trade was transacted among African nations.
“What is even more worrying is that most of these imports traded can be produced and procured in Africa. This unfortunate trend hinders prospects of bringing the needed prosperity to our people.
“It results in the frailty of our security situation given that the rising youth unemployment on our continent which is the world’s youngest continent, occasioned by this unpleasant development, provides handy tools to those so minded to perpetrate all acts of vandalism, hooliganism and violent extremism.”
The Speaker, Rep Gbajabiamila who welcomed his counterpart into the chamber’s expressed the hope that the inter-parliamentary relations of both countries would improve both diplomatic and business ties.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
No Evidence Arab League Sent Warning Message To FG On Biafra Movement
CLAIM: A Twitter user claims that the Arab League of Nations sent a warning message to the Nigerian government on the Biafra movement.Ghana wants FG to review prohibition list, banning specific goods’ importation
Ghana wants FG to review prohibition list, banning specific goods’ importation
and then