Ghana-bound vegetable trucks stranded in Nigeria amid trade tensions

A group of Ghanaian truck drivers are facing a distressing situation in Kebbi State in Nigeria, where suspected armed men have reportedly blocked and detained their vehicles while transporting vegetables back home.

The trucks, which were on their way to Ghana, are carrying perishable goods, mainly onions sourced from Galimi in the Republic of Niger.

The drivers typically pass through Nigeria, then continue through Benin and Togo before reaching Ghana.

But this routine journey has been disrupted. For nearly three days, the drivers say they have been stranded, unable to move, as tensions between traders across borders spill over onto the transport routes.

Reports suggest the incident may be linked to a dispute in Accra, where some Nigerian onion traders allegedly had their goods blocked from being offloaded by certain Ghanaian traders. The situation in Kebbi is believed to be a retaliatory move, with the armed men targeting Ghanaian trucks in response.

For the drivers, the impact is both economic and emotional. With each passing hour, the risk of their goods spoiling increases, threatening their livelihoods and the investments tied to the journey.

According to a report on myjoyonline.com, one of the stranded drivers, Awudu Tiajni, described the urgency of their situation as they appealed for help.

“We’ve been locked here for almost three days. Our goods are perishing. We are appealing to the government for help,” he said.

Back in Accra, onion trader Alhaji Fuseini Atiiga shed more light on the underlying tensions, pointing to disagreements between Nigerian traders and farmers over how trucks are allocated for transporting goods to Ghana.

He explained that while about 52 trucks arrive in Accra for distribution among trader associations, a significant number are often allocated to a particular group arrangement that Nigerian traders have strongly opposed.

As the standoff continues, the stranded drivers are calling on the government, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to step in and help resolve the situation before their goods are completely lost.

NA/AE

Watch as Mahama shares how Kwahu Business Forum was born in a Land Cruiser ride with Julius Debrah - Mahama