Glo pull out threats, potential Ghana-Nigeria trade war?

The recent threats by mobile operator, Glo, to quit the country, appear to be sparking a potential trade war between Ghana and Nigeria.


This follows a publication in the Nigerian newspaper, Business Daily linking Glo’s frustrations to what Nigerian traders say is a grand scheme by the government to clamp down on their businesses in Ghana.


The President of the Nigerian Union of Traders in Ghana, Jasper Amenike alleged in the publication of a concerted effort between the Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Investment Promotion Council to ensure that Nigerian businesses do not succeed.

Mr. Amenike further cited the shutdown of 83 shops belonging to Nigerian traders in the past seven months with 550 others expected to follow soon.

Glo’s threat to pullout, Amenike noted, was a confirmation of government’s anti-Nigerian stance.

At the heart of the traders’ complaint however, is a clause in Ghana’s Investment code requiring all foreigners interested in engaging in the retail trade to have a minimum capital of at least $300,000.

They say this is in violation of the ECOWAS protocol on free trade and movement of people.

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According to the publication, a top level Nigerian delegation to Ghana on Monday led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry was unable to workout an amicable solution.

Officials of the Trade Ministry approached by Joy Business were yet to comment on the matter.

Source: Joy Business/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Mobile telecoms companies face 6-hour black out

The Consumer Protection Agency is calling on all Ghanaians to put off their phones for six hours on May 27 to protest against poor service quality by telecom operators.

According to the Agency, the 'Ghana Off Phone Day', which requests mobile phone users to put off their phones from 6am-12pm, will cost the telecommunication industry an estimated $6 million.

The protest, according to organisers, would send a strong signal to the telecom operators that their busniess depends on customers whose concerns must not be ignored all the time as has been happening.

A statement signed by CPA Programs & Research Head, Nana Prempeh Aduhene said “...it is only when we hit their pockets that they will respect our rights as consumers and not take us for granted.”

The agency said despite its persistent calls on the telecom operators, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Communications Minister to provide better services to the public, nothing seems to change.

It is against this background that the Agency is appealing to mobile phone users and the general public to join in a massive demonstration on May 27 in Accra during which a petition would be presented to the Communications Minister.

The protest march starts at 9am from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle through the High Street, down to Rawlings Park, Kojo Thompson Road, through the Kimbu Lane and to the Ministry of Communications, proceeding through Osu and ending at the Dankwa Circle.



By: Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana