Review law on $1m capital, Gbajabiamila urges Ghana

Adefioye Iyunade

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged the Ghanaian authorities to revisit the law on $1m business capital base in the country.

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This was part of the proposals aimed at bringing an end to the attacks on Nigerian traders doing businesses in Ghana. He also called for an amicable settlement of trade disputes through arbitration and fair judicial processes adding that as Africans, Ghana should encourage brotherliness.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, quoted him as making the proposals during his meeting with Ghanaian lawmakers and some top government officials as part of his current visit to the country  to resolve the crisis between Nigerian businesspeople and the country.

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The Speaker had led a delegation of members of the House on a two-day “legislative diplomatic mission” to Ghana, to explore legislative diplomacy towards resolving the issues affecting both countries.

The Nigerian delegation, which was received by the Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Mike Oquaye, on Wednesday, includes the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Buba Yusuf; Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu; House Member of ECOWAS Parliament, Bayo Balogun; and Messrs Ikenna Elezieanya, Ephraim Nwuzi, and Balarabe Shehu.

The Speaker also said he would be glad to champion a law to improve the bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Ghana, noting that citizens of the two countries remain brothers and sisters.

He said, “First, the amicable settlement of trade disputes through arbitration and fair judicial processes. In this context, we do believe that while it is the sovereign right of the government of Ghana to pass and implement the GIPC Act, we would implore you to explore alternative and less aggressive options of engaging, sanctioning, and relating with our traders and business people who operate in your country, pay taxes and contribute to the development of both our nations.”