The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has asked the government to abandon diplomacy and close its borders to Nigeria.
It comes as businesses in the sub-region reel under the effect of the closure of the Nigerian border by that country’s government.
According to the Ghana Union Traders’ Association, (GUTA), a temporary corridor agreed between the two governments is not functioning.
In an interview, the Executive Secretary of the association Sampson Asaki Awingobit said the Akufo-Addo administration needs to go beyond the diplomatic talks and retaliate by shutting Ghana’s borders to Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a sovereign state, Ghana is a sovereign state and so if Nigeria has had the balls to close down their borders against us we can equally do the same thing.
“Next year July we are even talking about implementing the Continental Free Trade and Nigeria today says that it has closed down its borders to African countries including Ghana, I think it is a challenge to us.”
Mr. Asaki Awingobit added that Ghana’s Foreign Minister must shun diplomatic talks with Nigeria and respond by ensuring that Nigerian goods do not come to Ghana until their border is reopened.
“The Foreign Minister may want to play diplomacy but the truth is that if the person doesn’t understand the diplomacy language, the only option is for us to also stop them for bringing their goods into our market.”