The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu, has unveiled the “Ghana in Nigeria” initiative as a new diplomatic framework for deepening trade, investment, cultural and economic relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
Abu said the initiative was designed to build on the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two countries while placing greater emphasis on economic cooperation and creating opportunities for businesses and investors on both sides.
The High Commissioner disclosed this while speaking with journalists during a diplomatic engagement in Abuja, where he highlighted the growing economic, social and diplomatic ties between the two West African countries.
“We have a philosophy we call the ‘Ghana in Nigeria’ philosophy, which is a guiding principle for our diplomacy going forward. This is intended to highlight that deep relationship we have across the board, across different layers of our economy,” he said.
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He said trade and investment would remain at the centre of the initiative, stressing that both countries had significant opportunities to expand their economic partnership.
“Most importantly, we want to emphasise trade, investment, and so on and so forth,” he said.
Abu described Nigeria as a major economic partner for Ghana, disclosing that Nigeria was the third-largest source of investment into Ghana in the past year and also remained a major trading partner.
“In the last year, Nigeria happens to be the third top source country of investment into Ghana. And it’s also a very major trade partner as well,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria has emerged as one of the major sources of investment into Ghana, while Ghanaian businesses and investors also have significant interests in Nigeria.
“Ghana and Nigeria culturally, socially share a lot in common. And beyond that, on the economic side as well, I’ve always made the point that in the last one year, Nigeria happens to be the third top source country of investment into Ghana.”
He noted that the investment relationship was reciprocal, with Ghanaian businesses also maintaining significant investments and interests in Nigeria. Urging businesses and investors in both countries to take advantage of the existing relationship to expand economic cooperation.
“Nigeria continues to be a very major investor in Ghana, and Ghanaians also continue to be very major investors in Nigeria as well. So we encourage more investments on both sides,” he said.
According to the envoy, the economic relationship between Ghana and Nigeria is underpinned by decades of political, cultural and people-to-people ties.
He recalled Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s visit to Nigeria in February 1959, where he met prominent Nigerian nationalist leaders, including Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
“Beyond this, we’ve grown from strength to strength; this current initiative will deepen a relationship that had already developed over the years,” he said.
Beyond government-to-government relations, the High Commissioner said the strong bonds between citizens of both countries provided another foundation for closer cooperation.
He also stressed the importance of Ghana-Nigeria cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), saying both countries had important roles to play in promoting regional integration, trade and peaceful coexistence.
“Within the sub-region and ECOWAS, these are two countries that continue to play very good roles in ensuring regional coexistence and progression, in making sure that our neighbours collectively are able to live well, trade well, connect well,” he said.
The envoy urged younger generations in Ghana and Nigeria to build on the historical foundation established by previous generations and strengthen the relationship for the future.
On the Independence Anniversary, the High Commissioner and members of his diplomatic team presented an anniversary cake to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikolaiye, at his office in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Abu described the gesture as a symbolic expression of Ghana’s friendship with Nigeria and a demonstration of the two countries’ enduring diplomatic relationship.
The engagement also featured a lighter cultural and sporting exchange, with the High Commissioner presenting a Ghanaian football jersey to the Minister of State.
The gesture reflected the friendly ties between the two countries and the broader people-to-people relationship that continues to underpin Ghana-Nigeria relations.
