Ghana is beginning to display xenophobia against Nigerians and Nigerian businesses, making nonsense of West Africa’s new impetus to forge closer ties.
Like in every fear of foreigners, some Ghanaian “patriot” thinks that Nigerians (aliens) have come to take over their country, their resources, their jobs, their culture, and what have you.
The country’s uncontrollable fear of everything Nigeria is not new because in 2007, Nigerian businesses in Ghana were closed down as a result of obnoxious protectionist law.
With eyes on Nigeria, Ghana imposed protectionist measures in line with popular agitations among indigenous business owners.
The latest victim is Globacom, pride of Nigeria telecom industry which is considering ditching its attempts to launch a new mobile network in Ghana after blaming "several challenges from some interests bent on sabotaging" its network rollout.
The Nigeria grown telecom giant, was granted Ghana's sixth mobile license in June 2008 and has been trying to deploy its network since then.
In 2009, the company complained that it is suffering problems in rolling out its network due to delays in securing permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to install its towers.
Globacom is not alone, Nigerian businesses which account for about 60 percent of foreign investment in Ghana are also targets of stringent operating conditions.
Some concerned Nigerians said that this is a reprisal because Nigeria and Nigerians businesses are being systematically expelled from Ghana.
It is however doubtful if that country would survive without Nigerian business concerns.
Recall that in 1983; more than a million Ghanaians were expelled from Nigeria.
In the late 70s to early 1980s, Ghanaians, fleeing poverty in their country, poured into Nigeria like ants. In their rush, the refugees turned cheap bags of woven plastic into makeshift luggage as they flee their country ravaged by hunger and want.
A bag of this sort is now commonly referred to in Nigeria as a “Ghana must go”.
Today, many Nigerians and Nigerian businesses are rushing to Ghana, not as refugees, but in search of a more enabling environment for self-actualization and expansion.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek joins well meaning Nigerians and groups particularly Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (Atcon) in calling on Nigerian government to give practical support and incentive to the investment of Nigerians who invest in other countries.
Nigeria must also open up discussion with Ghanaian authorities immediately to ensure that Globacom's investment in Ghana are supported and protected to avert the prospect of the withdrawal of its investment.
The presidency and the National Assembly must wake up and act to protect the interests and well being of Nigerians and encourage our people to stay in Nigeria and actualize the Nigerian dream.
