Ghana To ban Nigerian Goods

Ghana has threatened to impose a ban on some made in Nigerian goods if the latter does not revoke its current ban of some Ghanaian goods on its market.

The minister for trade and industry, Alan Kyerematen, who said this yesterday in Accra noted that Ghana had taken the position that it was not prudent to take retaliatory actions since it is in contravention of ECOWAS protocols on free trade.

“But if we are pushed to the point where we are left with no other option, then we will have to take drastic measures to at least ensure a level playing-field for our local producers and exporters.”

Answering questions from journalists at the ministry's turn at the 'Meet the Press' series, Mr Kyeremanten urged the Government of Nigeria to reconsider the ban, adding that “we will not hesitate at all to take the necessary actions to protect our local industries.”

He pointed out that Ghana had two other options, which were either to continue with the narrow balance of trade between the two countries or to introduce policies that could ban the entry of foreign products into the country. He said that should those options fail, the country would then have no choice but to take such actions in the interest of local industry.

The minister indicated that Ghana and other countries in the sub-region had decided to use dialogue to address such trade problems, because it was prudent to use dialogue than resorting to retaliatory measures.