By Cynthia AloThe Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa, ORO/WCA, has appealed to the Government of Ghana to urgently intervene in the continued detention of five trucks loaded with Nigerian onions at Kotoku Market, warning that the development is causing heavy losses on farmers, exporters and traders.
In a statement signed by its President, Aliyu Isah, who is also the National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), ORO said some Ghanaian onion traders had prevented the trucks from offloading their consignments since Tuesday.
The regional body said the prolonged delay is particularly damaging because onions are highly perishable commodities.
“If this situation persists, the quality of the produce will continue to deteriorate, leading to avoidable economic losses for farmers, traders and businesses that depend on cross-border trade,” the statement said.
ORO disclosed that several diplomatic efforts had been made to resolve the impasse, including engagements with trader associations in Ghana and interventions by the ECOWAS Trade Directorate through the trade ministries of both countries, but the matter remains unresolved.
