By Abdul Alli, Abuja
The diplomatic row between Nigeria and Ghana is escalating as Ghana has started repainting the controversial diplomatic premises it recently forcefully took over from Nigeria High Commission in the country
The building located in Accra which wears the Green White Green national colours is now being re- painted white even as it has been established that the authorities in Ghana allocated the diplomatic premises to a prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party in the country.
The value of the property located at No, 10 Barnes Road, Accra is put at $5million. It was said to have been acquired a year before Nigeria’s independence.
Investigations revealed that against all diplomatic norms, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Olufemi Michael Abikoye can no longer enter the diplomatic premises.
Nigeria’s Mission in Ghana was asked to vacate the building for Amaco Microfinance Company, Limited, Ghana.
It was also gathered that the controversial new owner wants to use it as collateral for a loan from a Nigerian-owned bank in Ghana.
This latest row is coming when the dust over the forceful closure of about 1000 shops belonging to Nigerians living in Ghana is yet to settle.
Many Nigerians living in Ghana are worried that their home government has not done much to protect their business interest and even a property that belongs to Nigeria.
Investigations revealed that the Nigerian community in Ghana are not happy with developments and are planning to embark on protests in the two countries.
As it is now, no one is sure of the future of the relations between the two countries as the authorities in Ghana seems poised to retaliate the continued closure of Nigeria’s land borders, while the strange attitude of Nigerian government is not helping matter.
