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 That Alleged Ban On Ghana Products In Nigeria -
An
Editorial by Oliver O. Mbamara, Esq.,
Only last month, I wrote a paper about an alleged ban of Nigerian movies in Ghana. see
http://www.africantheaterusa.com/Essays-Oliver-BanOnNigMovies.htm
In that paper titled "THAT ALLEGED BAN OF NIGERIAN MOVIES IN GHANA," I humbly called on Ghana's Authorities not to Ban Nigerian movies, if it had done so as alleged in some quarters. I also warned that such ban might trigger
unpleasant backlash.
Now according to "NIGERIA ONLINE TODAY," of June 17, 2005, Ghana is now putting together a paper to contest Nigeria's ban on certain Ghana products. Details of that report is posted below.
At this time, we have not confirmed the details, but a mere allegation of this sort should be addressed if even to
dissuade such a decision. As I had warned a few weeks ago against the allegation of Ghana banning Nigerian movies in Ghana, I am humbly calling on Nigerian Authorities to reconsider such ban on Ghana products in Nigeria if it has made such decision as reported. Both Ghana and Nigeria are among the most influential countries in Africa and particularly in West Africa.
The fall out of such conflict could escalate to undesirable heights. Do we need to be reminded that we ought to work and grow together rather than isolate and
antagonize the other in a world where even bigger nations are now uniting and cooperating to create a formidable force for their regions?
- Oliver Mbamara, Esq.,
Publisher/Editor
www.AfricanEvents.com
THE REPORT:
Ghana to contest Nigeria's ban on products
Ghana is putting together a position paper on Nigeria's decision to ban certain items and products from entering its market. Ghana is to table the paper on the fringes of the forthcoming review meeting of the Head of States on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Abuja, to discuss Ghana and Rwanda's Programme of Action on the draft of their country papers on the APRM.
Nigeria has placed a ban in contravention of ECOWAS and World Trade Organization rules and regulations. Nigeria early this year placed a ban on the importation of certain products into the country as part of measures to stop the importation of cheap items and ultimately to diversify the Nigerian economy. Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Ghana's Minister of Regional Cooperation and NEPAD, told the Ghana News Agency that the Ministry was working in consultation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to fashion out a strategy to address the situation.
He said Ghana was studying the matter closely in the light of firm cooperation between the two countries. Under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Treaty, member countries are free to export and import items into each other's country devoid of quotas or any forms of restriction.
Courtesy - NIGERIA ONLINE TODAY, June 17, 2005
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