Report by Nana POKU
The Acting President of the All Nigerian Community in Ghana, Dr. Chief Albert Bayo Asaloe has implored resident Nigerians in Ghana to resort to the use of dialogue and negotiations instead of any unfavorable method to tackle challenges, concerns and issues confronting them and their Ghanaian counterparts.
Reading his statement at a Press Conference in Accra, he called on both countries to use diplomacy and a dialogue approach to melt down all misunderstandings and impasse between the two sister countries who have been together from colonial days to date.
Chief Bayo for instance lamented about the recent media reports of some young Nigerian girls who are brought to Ghana by some agents, friends or themselves to practice illegal sex business. According to Chief Bayo, the unsuspecting young girls are lured to come to Ghana with promise of finding decent jobs only to find themselves doing the unthinkable and going through difficulty and frustration.
The president intimated that some of these frustrated and stranded girls have been captured and sent back home whiles others have returned or remained to do their own thing much to the chagrin of the Nigerian authorities. He advised the Nigerians in Ghana to unite and fight with one common voice since in unity lies strength.
He admonished them to conduct their business in Ghana peacefully and abide by the laws of the country instead of trying vainly to fight it.
“Ghana as a country has her own internal laws different from that of Nigeria so we must obey their laws. If we find some of them difficult, we can appeal to the authorities to reconsider some aspects but we can’t force them to change anything. Once you’re here you have to abide by the laws despite ECOWAS protocols. Let’s observe brotherliness as has been the case from time immemorial,” he stated.
In answer to some concerns about exorbitant immigration fees for residential status, he told them that the Association and the Nigerian High Commissioner are working with their Ghanaian counterparts to resolve the issue.
He explained that when the Ghana card was being introduced they went to Immigration Service to negotiate for a price bargain and got reduction so must they do in all things.
Chief Bayo called for consolidation of the bond and friendship between the two old friends and use dialogue to deal with everything as brothers. He also appealed to leaders of both countries to close their ranks to work together for the benefit of their citizens as two leading countries in Africa
“In fact you cannot talk of Nigerian history without making reference to Ghana’s. We all had independence at almost the same time; while Ghana is referred to as the GATEWAY to Africa, Nigeria is referred to as The GIANT ECONOMY of Africa. We must therefore behave well while here and do the right things to dignify the name of our countries. As ambassadors, we need to lead exemplary lives for the next generation,” he stated.
The Acting President stated that there is peace, hospitality and friendliness in Ghana and if the Nigerians have issues with the authorities, they can channel them through the association or the High Commission for onward transmission to the Ghanaian authorities to resolve them amicably without recourse to violence or commotion.
He said he has stayed in Ghana for 35 years, married to a Ghanaian woman without a single problem because he has conducted himself very well. He implored them to do their business in full compliance of the country’s laws to avoid any hiccup.
