The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has urged the newly designated Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Shehu Ilu Barde, to intervene in the ongoing concerns involving Jonah Capital, a Ghanaian company with investments in Nigeria.
Speaking during a meeting with the High Commissioner designate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra after receiving the envoy’s letter of credence last Friday, Mr Ablakwa urged Mr Barde to “look into the recent issues of concern with Mobus Investments, Sam Jonah’s business”.
He emphasised the need for African countries to support one another’s entrepreneurs operating across borders.
“I want you to take it up, because it's good when entrepreneurs invest out of their countries and across (borders), particularly in Africa.
We should support Ghanaian brands anywhere in Africa, the same way we support Nigerian brands anywhere out of Nigeria. I think that's something we haven't done too well,” Mr Ablakwa said.
The minister added that with a continental market of about 1.3 billion people under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African businesses must be given the right support to thrive.
“If we get it right, with a market of about 1.3 billion people, our businesses will not struggle. The potential is there,” he stated.
Stronger economic ties
Mr Ablakwa further called for deeper economic cooperation between Ghana and Nigeria, describing both countries as leaders who must drive regional integration.
“Ghana-Nigeria relations, even though we are doing very well in the area of trade, there's a lot more we can do,” he said.
He referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s strong advocacy at the recent ECOWAS Summit for the launch of the ECO currency — a proposed common currency for West African nations — next year, urging that countries that had met the convergence criteria should proceed without further postponement.
“Within that same spirit, we should support our businesses as well to expand and grow. Let's trade among ourselves more. Africa trade should not continue to be below 20 per cent.
We should be trading more among ourselves,” Mr Ablakwa added.
The minister cited the Ghanaian company, Kasapreko, as an example of a brand thriving in Nigeria, and commended the Nigerian government for its support.
He also acknowledged the strong presence and corporate social responsibility of Nigerian banks in Ghana.
Job creation
The minister said strengthening economic channels between the two countries was critical for job creation, given Africa’s youthful population.
“We are the youngest population of any continent in the world.
The median age is about 20.
We just have to create opportunities for our young people, create jobs for them, make sure that entrepreneurs are supported.
We give them the right push, the right support, the right stimulus that they need,” he stated.
Envoy’s assurance
The Nigerian High Commissioner designate assured the minister of his commitment to follow up on the matter of Jonah Capital.
“I will follow up on it and we will give you a bit about that too. I read about it, even though I haven’t received anything on it officially, but from information coming from Nigeria and also (from) some civil society groups,” Mr Barde said.
