Border Closure: FG Grants Temporary Passage

The federal government has agreed to the creation of a temporary corridor on Nigeria’s western border with Benin, where Ghanaian goods in transit from Benin, and vice versa, can pass to avoid collateral damage arising from the closure of the borders with Benin.

The Ghana Government is also expected to provide further information on Ghanaian companies that do business in Nigeria, the goods and companies affected and those likely to be affected by the closure of the borders, as well as stranded trucks at the borders to enable Nigeria’s officials to better identify the Ghanaian traders.

The decisions were reached when the Ghana Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, held talks with their Nigerian counterparts on the border closure in Abuja last Wednesday.

While Ms Botchwey met with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Mr Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama, Mr Kyerematen held discussions with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria, Mr Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

Nigeria partially closed its borders with Benin in August this year to curb the spate of rice smuggling which Africa’s most populous country said was threatening its attempt to boost local production.

Additionally, the move was aimed at stopping the movement of illicit weapons and other smuggled goods through the various entry points.