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Ghana-Nigeria Relations: A TALE OF TWO GREAT COUNTRIES

His Excellency Alhaji Rashid Bawa,Ghana High Commissioner

Ghana and Nigeria are two of West Africa’s largest economies and have remained interdependent since formally establishing diplomatic relations. Though there has been seeming rivalries, the relations between both countries have remained cordial. In this exclusive interview with the African Leadership Magazine UK, the Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, HIS EXCELLENCY ALHAJI RASHID BAWA, talks about the diplomatic relations between both countries and efforts to boost same. Excerpts:

In 1988, a Joint Commissioner for Cooperation between Ghana and Nigeria was established; its over 30 years now; how would you describe the progress made thus far?

The excellent bilateral relations that have existed between Ghana and Nigeria, are underpinned by strong trade and economic ties between the two countries. The entrenched and longstanding bonds of friendship and the peopleto-people engagement has solidified the bilateral ties between Ghana-Nigeria, necessitating more vital collaboration, cooperation and partnership between the political establishment of the two countries for the enhancement of the bilateral relations.

I wish to express my governmentʼs avowed aim to cooperate, collaborate and work closely with Nigeria towards sustainable development for the benefit of both countries. Furthermore, I wish to reaffirm my commitment to continue collaborating with the relevant Nigerian authorities to strengthen relations between the two countries and peoples. Barriers to trade have continued to stand in the way of the smooth implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS common market, among other trade protocols. What in your view, can be done to address some of these prevailing challenges, especially as we work towards the full implementation of the African Continental Free trade area?

Let me emphasis that the two countries economic and diplomatic relations have been excellent and thriving. This development has positioned Ghana and Nigeria as the two dominant economies in the West African sub-region. The ties that bind us also mean that we have become interdependent on each other. As a result, development in Nigeria tends to have a ripple effect on Ghana and vice versa.

The latest foreign trade report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that Ghana emerged as Nigeriaʼs biggest destination for 2019.

The report revealed that Ghana topped Nigeriaʼs export destinations in the third quarter of 2019, as Ghana imported N908.5 billion worth of cable sheaths of iron, submersible drilling platforms and crude oil.

According to reports, Ghana imported N876.5 billion non-crude oil products from Nigeria, while crude oil exports only stood at N32.02 billion in Q32019. Ghana imported 17.18% of Nigeriaʼs export in three months. The trade balance between the two countries favours Nigeria, with more export volume that Ghana.

To answer the specific question of the perennial tension between Ghana and Nigeria traders in Ghana, I am happy to inform that

the issue is virtually resolved. The Ministries of Trade of Ghana and Nigeria have signed a joint agreement that establishes a framework to guide the engagement between the two countries in resolving the issues between Ghanian retail traders and their counterparts from Nigeria.

I can assure you that the Government of the Republic of Ghana is committed to the timely implementation of the framework of engagement between Ghanian and Nigerian traders. Nigeria and Ghana are two of the regionʼs largest economies, yet, both countries have continued to experience economic shock waves occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine. How is the current administration in Ghana working towards improving Ghanaʼs economic conditions?

Ghanaʼs wealth of resources, democratic political system, and dynamic economy make it undoubtedly one of Africaʼs leading lights. Gaining the worldʼs confidence with a peaceful political transition and a grounded and firm commitment to democracy has helped in expediting Ghanaʼs growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years.

As alluded to in your question, the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020, its attendant lockdowns and travel restrictions, and the war between Russia and Ukraine having an adverse impact on Ghanaʼs economy.

The vision of President AkufoAddo is to reset our economy through industrialization.

These comprise an agenda to: Ÿ Aggressively mobilise domestic revenue; Ÿ Streamline and rationalise expenditures; Ÿ Boost local productive capacity; Ÿ Promote and diversify exports; Ÿ Protect the poor and vulnerable; Ÿ Expand digital and climateresponsive physical infrastructure; and Ÿ Implement structural and public sector reforms. Earlier in the year, you mentioned Ghanaʼs readiness and commitment to boost investment and trade opportunities with Nigeria at the CEO Forum on ‘Ghana & Nigeria: Stronger Together. Since then, what framework has been pursued to achieve seamless trade relations between both countries?

Let me once again express the Government of the Republic of Ghanaʼs avowed readiness to cooperate and work closely with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the sustainable development of the economies of our two.

We at the High Commission in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos are always ready to serve as a bridge for Ghana-Nigeria friendly relations, paving the way for cooperation between the business communities from our two countries.

The mission collaborates with Ghana Export Promotion Authority in the participation of Ghanian companies in Fairs in Nigeria, such as the Lagos and Abuja International Trade FAIRS in October and November 2022, respectively. How much do you see Ghana and Nigeria improving their relationship with the emergence of the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), especially with the creation of the biggest single market in the world?

Africa is now the worldʼs largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organization. A market of more than 1.2 billion people and a combined GDP of $3 trillion offers a huge opportunity to exploit our great continentʼs abundant wealth and resources to

benefit all our people. Despite the devasting effects of COVID-19 on African economies, an opportunity exists to establish robust supply and value chains for African as well as diversify the continentʼs productive capacity, particularly from the overreliance on the export of primary commodities. The AfCFTA signal that Africa is open for business and mutually beneficial investments. Thereby, creating decent jobs and improving livelihoods for Ghana and the Continent.

Ghana has been pursuing a liberalised trade and investment regime and is positioning herself to take full advantage of both regional and subregional opportunities to attract investments into the country to harness the benefits from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other export market. Aside from trade, what other key sectors of development are you looking to establish during your time as part of improving bilateral relation between Ghana and Nigeria?

Enormous investment opportunities exist in Agriculture and Argo-Processing, Finance Services, Education, Energy, Oil refinery and Gas, Health, Mining and Mineral Processing and Jewellery, ICT, Tourism, Industrial and Residential Estate Property Development, Manufacturing and Transport Infrastructure. Accordingly, the Government of Ghana is committed to implementing policies that reduce business costs to promote investor confidence in the country.

Education Fair was also held in Lagos to enhance the export of education services to international students and increase foreign exchange earnings. In addition, the Fair allowed various Ghanian Universities to showcase their programmes to Secondary School students in Nigeria. This yearʼs Fair just concluded in Lagos in October, with 16 Universities participating, intending to recruit students for the next academic year. The turnout of students to the Fair was very encouraging.

What was unique about the Fair was that it provided an opportunity to answer any queries on the spot on how to gain admission into the institutions of High learning in Ghana. The Fair falls in line with the strategic foreign policy of Ghana, which among other enjoin Ghana, which others enjoins Ghana diplomatic Missions abroad to Promote tertiary and secondary institutions in host countries and etc.

As High Commissioner, I will continue to promote investment in Ghana. What future do you envision for the diplomatic relations between Ghana and Nigeria? Are there areas of improvement you wish to point out?

The excellent bilateral political relations that have existed between Ghana and Nigeria, and note that this has underpinned the strong trade and economic ties between the two countries. The entrenched and longstanding bonds of friendship and the people-topeople engagements have solidified the bilateral ties between Ghana and Nigeria, necessitating more vital collaboration, cooperation and partnership between the political establishment of the bilateral relations. This, I will continue to solidify.

I wish to express my governmentʼs avowed aim to cooperate and work closely with Nigeria towards sustainable development for the benefit of both countries.

Furthermore, I wish to reaffirm my personal commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries for the people mutual benefit and prosperity.

5 African

Young Leaders

One of Africa's strengths is that we have the youngest population. And a fresh generation of persistent voices, innovators, change makers, and action-takers are making sure the world sees the continent with fresh eyes, and that Africa itself rose from the ashes of vulnerability.

Lack of development as well as high rates of inequality and poverty across Africa have long been perceived as a burden on the rest of the world, presented as things to pity rather than things that need solving. This outlook is one that has to evolve in order for true change to occur on the continent. Luckily, young people are standing up and speaking out for what Africa deserves.

“No more empty promises, no more empty summits, no more empty conferences,” asserted Nakate at last year's pre –COP26 summit. As the year revealed that globally, we are tired of dealing with significant issues in the same old ways and expecting radical improvements. This was a message that echoed loud and clear after young climate activist Vanessa Nakate spoke at the summit in 2021.

This tone was carried all throughout 2021 as the world continued to reckon with COVID-19, a worsening climate crisis, and increased global inequality. As such, 2022 will be defined by the need for action and nowhere is this more pertinent than on the African continent.

Thankfully, young activists have been captaining this need for action, and we cannot wait to see what they will do next. These are a few youth leaders and change makers that we will be looking out for in 2022 and beyond.

EMMANUEL COSMOS MSOKA - TANZANIA

Tanzanian children's right activist Emmanuel Cosmos Msoka is a UNICEF Youth Advocate for water, sanitation and hygiene. The young innovator created a pedal –powered hand washing machine in 2020 to help combat COVID-19 in his community, and with the help of local organisations, has supplied over 400 hand washing stations across northern Tanzania over the course of a year.

His interest in innovation and volunteering has led him to encourage other people of his age to come up with inventive solutions to significant problems, and to call on young people to become generational leaders.

STACY OWINO KENYA

When she was just 18years old, Kenyan student and women's right Stacy Owino co-created an app to help bring an end to female genital mutilation (FGM) in her country. Three years later, Owino is not only a determined young woman studying STEM, she is also an African representative on the Youth Sounding Board for the European Commission and was honored at last year's Young Activist summit held at the UN in Geneva for her work towards eradicating FGM. When asked why it was important for African girls to take up space, Stacy said “something the world needs to know is that things are changing and us as African youth are really taking up these spaces. We are not going to let you tell us about us. We will tell you about ourselves.”

ALAA SALAH - SUDAN

Two years ago, Alaa Salah was dubbed Sudan's “Nubian Queen” when she stood up for the country's revolution. The 25 years old went viral after videos of her dressed in white, standing atop a car and reciting a rousing poem, circulated on social media. Salah showed courage in putting herself at the forefront of the movement in the country were women's voices are heavily restricted. She was later shortlisted for the Noble Peace Price, and the image of her in white has become a symbol of freedom for citizens in Sudan. This symbol is key to 2022 because, although her efforts and the efforts of other Sudanese women helped move the country towards a democracy 2019 the end of 2021 saw the transitional government being dissolved into a military coup, and the beginning of this years has been unrest in the country as it tries to establish a functional government. While Sudan has yet to become stable in its freedom, Salah's influence has kept Sudanese women going in their effort to stand up for their country.

TREVOR OAHILE - BOTSWANA

Trevor Oahile is a 24 year old student who's helping to educate Botswana's youth about the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights through a radio show called “Don't Get It Twisted.” The show addresses young people particularly boys and men, and explores ways in which they can be better informed about the stigmas surrounding reproductive health. Oahile also works with UNEPA, the United Nation's sexual and reproductive health agency, to run training programs across the country, speaking about social accountability and empowering other youth activists in Botswana.

LEAH NAMUGERWA - UGANDA

From dedicating her birthday to replanting trees in her community, to establishing a petition to pressure the Ugandan government to ban single use plastic, 18 year old Leah is already a force to be reckoned with in the climate activism space.

Inspired by fellow activist Greta Thunberg, Namugerwa began striking on Fridays in front of the Ugandan parliament at just 14 years old. Today, she continues to advocate for banning plastic in her country, access to water and sanitation for vulnerable community members, and the protection of Africa's trees and forests against the climate crisis.

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