Tobias Sylvester
Two Nigerian traders in Ghana reportedly attempted suicide over the $1million business equity imposed by the Ghanaian authorities.
The Chairman, Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this on Monday while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
Dabiri-Erewa said it’s painful that engagements with the Ghanaian authorities on the plight of Nigerian traders in the country haven’t achieved the desired results.
She also revealed that two Nigerian traders are currently undergoing therapy after they attempted suicide over the imposition of $1m business equity on non-Ghanaians as well as other conditions.
The NIDCOM boss said any hope for the amicable resolution of the imposed tax on Nigerian traders will have to wait until after the conclusion of the December 7, 2020, presidential election in Ghana.
“Elections are coming. You know there is something political about this. Let’s face it. The President of Ghana will not want to go against his own citizens and majority of the Ghanaian traders have said we don’t want them (Nigerian traders).
“Don’t let us deceive ourselves, nothing will happen before December 7,” she said, adding, “There is nothing ECOWAS can achieve before the election. Election must be won or lost.”
Dabiri-Erewa said the evacuation of the traders would come at psychological, economic and social cost while expressing optimism that the bilateral dispute would be resolved.
“We don’t have a problem at the government level; we have a problem at the people level. The government of Ghana has willingly said, ‘Open these shops’ but the people are complying.
“I hope you know that three years ago, a Nigerian lady committed suicide. And as I speak with you, another two are on the verge of suicide but they are going through some kind of counselling with the message of hope that things will be better.
“As at today, it’s been over one year. Now, they have to pay rent for their shops, they don’t have money for rent. How can you pay rent when your shop has been closed forever?”
On his part, General Secretary, All Nigerian Community, Ghana, Isaac Ekhator, said some of the Nigerian traders were married to Ghanaians and would not want to abandon their families to come back to Nigeria.
Ekhator noted that the evacuation request was a way of pressurising the two governments to reach a consensus and end the trade crisis.
KanyiDaily recalls that Nigerian traders in Ghana had said they are ready to return home following the closure of their shops by Ghanaian authorities over non-payment of the imposed $1 million tax.
