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Ghana’s Minister Calls for Breakdown of Barriers Impeding Trading Among West African Countries
Ghana’s Minister Calls for Breakdown of Barriers Impeding Trading Among West African Countries
… Invites Nigerian Investors to Come Over to Ghana to Invest
By: Michael Mike
Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Samuel Ablakwa has called for tumbling down of the artificial barriers impeding trading among West African countries.
Speaking in Abuja at the weekend during a visit to River Park Estate, a massive investment by Ghanaian entrepreneurs in Nigeria, as part of his official visit to Nigeria, Ablakwa said the 50th Anniversary of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should be used to reinvigorate the push to encourage more trading and investment by citizens of the subregion in the countries of the subregion.
He said the recent decision of American President Donald Trump to stop aids to Africa should be an eye opener for countries in West Africa and the rest Africa to encourage trading and investment among themselves and equally embrace Africa first before others.
On the River Park Estate in Abuja, the Minister said: “When Dr. Kwame Nkrumah proclaimed at our independence in March 1957 that we will show the world that the black man is capable of managing his own affairs. This is representative of that, and I am really inspired about what has been achieved here.
“It shows that when we come together, Ghana, Nigeria, ECOWAS, the rest of Africa and we bring down all of those artificial borders, those artificial borders which really do not mean anything because it cannot separate us. They were so haphazardly done, so hurriedly done during the scramble for Africa, just to share the continent and its resources amongst European colonialists, but over the years, we have just allowed those artificial boundaries to divide us, but today, what we see here is that those boundaries can no longer divide us, and that we transcend those artificial boundaries.
“So from that Berlin artificial division. We are here in Abuja to see what pan Africanism is about, that we can come together. We can unite. We can put our shoulders to the wheel, and we can achieve greatness.
“What this also represents is a new narrative that when we talk about investors, we should not always be looking outside the continent. That we can have African investors and we can open our countries to each other.
“Nigerians can come into Ghana, invest, create jobs, transform our countries. And it should be possible for Ghanaians to come into Nigeria and also create jobs and transform the landscape, transform the kaleidoscope of Nigeria, and that is what we see today. Interestingly, we are speaking at a time that we mark, 50 years of ECOWAS. And many have said that the ECOWAS dream, the dream of sub regional integration, has not yet been achieved as envisioned by our founding fathers, but what we see here today tells us that that dream is alive and that we can come together and transform our sub region, transform our continent, create real opportunities for our people,
“And those opportunities can lead to the progress that Africa needs. And speaking about the state of our continent, there is no other time to reflect on how we should come together and do it ourselves than this time, if we look at what is happening internationally? We are seeing a rise in nationalism. We are seeing the imposition of tariffs. We are seeing a rise in defense budgets. And where are they diverting those resources from? They are diverting resources meant for aid, resources meant for international cooperation, to strengthen their national defense. And many are crying that it turns out that Africa is not really a priority to some of our traditional partners. We have held in high esteem for many, many years that many have described as tragic, but some of us see it as a silver lining. We see it as an opportunity to look within, to build resilience, to come together and to forge our own path towards the progress and development of our continent.
“We can no longer rely on others. We must rely on ourselves and what is happening now should not bring despair. It should rather make us stronger. It should rather make us bolder, and it should make us more courageous, to look within, to dig deep and to come up with solutions that will help our continent progress. And so this is a story that the Foreign Ministry of Ghana is happy to project, and we are going to showcase this as a blueprint of what can be achieved, not only in Abuja, but I believe it can be achieved in Cotonou. It can be achieved in Ouagadougou. It can be achieved in Johannesburg. It can be achieved in many, many other places on the continent. We just have to come together. And once there is a will, there will always be away.”
He added that: “The time has come for Africans to do more business amongst ourselves, to trade more amongst ourselves. And that was the whole vision behind the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.”
He lamented that: “If you look at the statistics, we don’t do business amongst ourselves. We don’t trade amongst ourselves. It’s below 20%, if you look at intra European trade, there’s an excess of 60% same for intra Asia trade, but intra Africa trade, it’s very, very low, and we need to really collapse those artificial barriers and invest in the business ecosystem, creating opportunities venture capital funds, nurturing young entrepreneurs, and we need to also consciously promote made in Africa, So it doesn’t matter where the entrepreneur comes from, and that’s why I’m excited to be here seeing what Ghanaian entrepreneurs have done here, with the support of the government in Nigeria facilitating we also are proud to say that we host a lot of Nigerian businesses in Ghana. If you come to Ghana, the banking sector really is controlled by Nigerian entrepreneurs.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the MD/CEO of Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited; Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited and Mobus Property
Development, Kojo Mensah said as declared by President John Mahama and President Bola Tinubu in Accra that. “”The bond between Ghana and Nigeria is strong and cannot be broken,” those words resonate deeply here. For in River Park, we’ve turned that bond into action. Our collaboration is a rebuke to those who peddle division; it is a testament to the words of the Ashanti proverb: “When brothers unite, the walls of the city shake.””
He said “Africa’s future will not be written in Beijing, Washington, or Brussels— it will be written here, by us. While global partnerships are vital, the greatest catalyst for our growth lies within our subregion. River Park Estate stands as evidence: over 75% of our workforce is Nigerian, 20% Ghanaian, and 5% from other ECOWAS nations.”
He added: “Together, we’ve generated thousands of jobs, spurred ancillary industries, and contributed over $250 million to Nigeria’s GDP. This is the power of intra-African collaboration. Let River Park be a blueprint—a clarion call for Ghanaian and Nigerian businesses to invest boldly in one another’s markets. Let us dismantle barriers, not build them. Let us compete not for crumbs, but for continental supremacy.”
Ghana’s Minister Calls for Breakdown of Barriers Impeding Trading Among West African Countries
Exclusive: UMTH to name heart center after late Professor Jibril Aminu
By: Our Reporter
The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has announced the naming of its new Heart Centre after the late Professor Jibril Aminu, a distinguished figure in cardiology and academia. This decision honors Prof. Aminu’s remarkable contributions to medical science and education in Nigeria.
The CMD, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, made the announcement while handing a letter of condolences to the family of the late professor in his residence at the Villa in Abuja.
Professor Ahidjo said the gesture was not only an expression of sympathy but also a recognition of the profound legacies left by the esteemed Professor of Cardiology.
“As a renowned cardiologist, he significantly advanced cardiovascular medicine while also serving in various high-profile roles, including Minister of Education and Petroleum and Mineral Resources. His career was marked by dedication to both clinical practice and academic leadership, notably as Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.” Professor Ahidjo said.
NEWSng reports that the commemoration through naming the Heart Centre underscores Prof. Aminu’s enduring legacy in improving healthcare infrastructure and medical training within Nigeria. His work extended beyond national borders, evident in his tenure as a visiting professor at Howard University College of Medicine. The initiative reflects UMTH’s commitment to fostering excellence inspired by pioneers like Prof. Aminu, who bridged medicine, education, and public service. This tribute not only memorializes his life but also inspires future generations in cardiology
Professor Ahmed Ahidjo emphasized that commemorating Professor Aminu’s work is essential for inspiring current and future generations within the hospital community. “The decision to formally honor the late professor reflects an institutional acknowledgment of his foundational role in advancing cardiology services at UMTH, thereby enhancing patient care and medical education standards. Such recognition aligns with broader efforts at UMTH to celebrate excellence and foster a culture that values enduring professional legacies.” He said
The CMD said the formal ceremony for the naming of the Heart Center is slated for July 29, 2025.
The management team were formally received during the condolence visit by Alhaji Murtala Aminu, one of the sons, who expressed happiness for the visit and thank the management for the gesture. “Professor Ahidjo’s leadership during this condolence visit highlights UMTH’s dedication to preserving its history through honoring distinguished members like the late Professor Aminu. This act serves as both a tribute and a motivational framework for ongoing development within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.” He said.
Exclusive: UMTH to name heart center after late Professor Jibril Aminu
US Embassy Holds Valedictory Event for Three Key Staff
By: Michael Mike
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has held a valedictory event for three key members of its Public Diplomacy section, underscoring their contributions to strengthening US-Nigeria relations through cultural and educational outreach.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., speaking at the ceremony held on Wednesday evening in Abuja used the occasion which had in attendance media representatives, and friends of the embassy to commend the departing officers; Gilbert Morton, Katarina Ramos, and Victoria Cook, and also reflect on the mission’s broader commitment to public engagement in Nigeria.
He said: “The Nigerian press is among the most well-informed, most caring, most committed press, I think, on this continent.
“It is very important that the US engages with the press about our policies, issues, and our goals for both Nigeria and US.”
The envoy acknowledged the role of outgoing Public Diplomacy Information Officer Gilbert Morton in building media relationships and championing education outreach.
“Gil got me into the arena with so many of the folks here,” he said.
Reflecting on his early days in Nigeria, the Ambassador shared a personal memory from one of his first trips outside Abuja, a visit to Ahmadu Bello University with departing officer Victoria to open an AmeriCorps centre.
“It really was one of the highlights of my time here.
“To see the difference that centre would make, and the excitement it brought to students, was unforgettable. That outreach, beyond Abuja and Lagos, showed the power of what the US mission can do,” the amb. stated.
He also highlighted the work of Katrina and her team on EducationUSA, a programme that continues to inspire and support Nigerian students seeking to study in the US.
“Everywhere I went, I was asked about studying in the US.
“That kind of impact is only possible through the kind of diligent public engagement Katrina and her team carried out,” Mills said.
The ambassador concluded his remarks by praising the entire Public Diplomacy team for their tireless efforts in promoting shared values between the two nations.
“We are a team committed to making sure the values Nigerians and Americans share prevail in the world and shape our children’s futures.
“And the biggest part of that is our public outreach, discussing those values, making them understood, and ensuring they endure,” he added.
The Press Attaché Gilbert Morton shared his gratitude for the support he received during his transition to Nigeria, calling it a rewarding professional experience.
Morton acknowledged the robust Nigerian press and the embassy’s educational outreach, particularly in places like Minna, Niger State, which he described as highlights of his time in the country.
“Coming out here, it was a new adventure, and I really could not have asked for a better team to support me in that transition,” he added.
The Pubic Diplomacy Officer Victoria Cook, who coordinated numerous cultural engagements and American Spaces programmes, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to work across northern Nigeria and with alumni of various US government initiatives.
She reflected on her transition from the private sector in Asia to public diplomacy in Nigeria, calling her experience both transformative and deeply rewarding.
Cook said, “It’s been a real privilege for me. I really knew that I was here to empower you, to just make sure that your good ideas, your creative dreams could continue to flourish.”
Another Public Diplomacy Officer, Katarina Ramos, who managed the youth portfolio within the PD section, spoke about the immense potential she witnessed among young Nigerians.
She shared her enthusiasm for Nigerian culture and the warm hospitality she received throughout her posting. Her remarks underscored the learning and mutual exchange that marked her tenure.
She noted, “You have amazingly talented, industrious individuals here in Nigeria, and it has been a privilege to touch just a few of your lives.”
US Embassy Holds Valedictory Event for Three Key Staff
Buni Appoints Development Experts Sa’id Alkali as Honorary Advisor on Lake Chad
By: Michael Mike
Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum (LCBGF), Hon. Mai Mala Buni has appointed the international development expert, Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, as Honorary Special Adviser on International Relations and Development, and Technical Advisor to the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum.
The appointed was communicated in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali.
Buni noted that the appointment to the exalted office is in recognition of the appointee’s past records of performance, dedication, and personal commitment to the development of the state.
According to the statement, “Alkali’s vast international network and proven leadership will significantly enhance our engagement with multilateral partners and accelerate progress across the Lake Chad Basin.
“Sa’id Alkali Kori brings a formidable international profile: He holds a Doctorate Degree from the University of Liverpool (UK), a Master’s from the University of Salford (UK), and a Bachelor’s in Architecture from FUT Yola.
“As Chairman/Group CEO of multinational Thinklab Group Limited and former General Manager at Family Home Funds, he possesses deep expertise in development finance and cross-border investment. An academic (lecturer at the University of Liverpool, Yobe State University, and others) and seasoned board leader (BIM Africa, Fulus Capital), his work across over 34 countries equips him with unparalleled insights into global development diplomacy.
“This appointment underscores the commitment of Yobe State and the LCBGF to leverage world-class expertise in fostering sustainable regional growth and international cooperation.”
Buni Appoints Development Experts Sa’id Alkali as Honorary Advisor on Lake Chad
UMTH: Day Management pays a condolence visit to the late Professor Jibril Aminu’s family.
Exclusive: UMTH to name heart center after late Professor Jibril Aminu
US Embassy Holds Valedictory Event for Three Key Staff
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