The Nigerian federal government has condemned, in strongest terms, the renewed attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana. The reported cases of clashes between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders led to the arrest of six while a number of the Nigerian traders sustained injuries. The fight was reportedly triggered by closure of shops belonging to some Nigerian traders at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Ghana.
However, the Nigerians allege that the attacks had xenophobic undertones. The Ghanaian government also termed the attack as unfortunate and asked the people to maintain calm and cordiality and implored the law enforcing agencies to protect lives and properties of the people especially that of Nigerians. Over 600 shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Kumasi and other areas were shut this year allegedly by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
The main grouse of the Ghanaian traders is that that foreigners, particularly Nigerians, Chinese and Lebanese have taken over their retail business.
