‘Deepen relations beyond trade and diplomacy’

Mr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, said Ghana and Nigeria should deepen relations beyond trade and diplomacy.

He said the two countries, who have good trade and diplomatic relations, could look further in areas of culture and social ties.

Mr Mohammed made the call at the second edition of the Ghana Nigeria Business Council (GNBC) forum on the theme: “Doing Business in Ghana II” in Accra on Thursday.

The forum is to further improve trade ties which underpin both countries' mutual effort to grow their economies.

The GNBC was formed to provide a platform for stimulating economic development, social and business interaction among members.

It is also to promote trade relations for the purpose of national development between both countries through a regular exchange of information among members.

The Minister said governments of both countries needed to work on the psychic and altitude of their citizens concerning trade relations in their respective countries.

He said the Government was committed to supporting events like this to promote business operation in the country.

He urged companies doing business in Ghana to consider the country’s laws and regulations because the country would not compromise on her laws.

Mr Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, called on Ghanaian investors to invest in Nigeria, since she had numerous opportunities.

He called on businessmen operating in both countries to co-operate to improve on trade operations.

The High Commissioner said the Council must chart a path that would bring growth and development to businesses in both countries.

Mr Reginald Laryea, Chairman of the GNBC, said the Council was formed with a vision of building on and creating new avenues and opportunities for strengthening the age-old bilateral socio-economic bonds of both countries.

He said as the two largest economies in the West African bloc, the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria must be viewed as very crucial, since the two countries were at the forefront of economic integration.

The Chairman called on political leaders in both countries, trade experts and business leaders to work tirelessly to help remove existing barriers to trade.

Mrs Edith Dankwa, Chief Executive Officer, Business and Financial Times, said both countries needed to do more to see the dream of the continent’s economic integration becoming a reality.

She said with the favourable business environment, Ghana had attracted investors who were operating well in the country.

Participants were taken through the Ghana Investment Promotion Center new Act, The Ghana Revenue Authority's Perspective on Investing in Ghana and what Ghana Immigration Service required from a potential Nigerian investor.