Nigerian traders halt onions exports to Ghana over harassment, truck seizures

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By Musa Ubandawaki, SOKOTO

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The multi-million dollar onion trade between Nigeria and Ghana has been thrown into uncertainty after Nigerian onion traders announced the immediate suspension of onion exports to Ghana, citing persistent harassment, intimidation and the seizure of trucks by local trader groups in Accra.

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The development, which threatens a major segment of agricultural trade within the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, region, has raised concerns about the safety of Nigerian traders and the stability of cross border commerce between the two West African nations.

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Leaders of Nigerian onion marketers on Sunday in a statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto, said the decision followed repeated incidents targeting their members, particularly at Kotoku Market, a key trading hub in the Ghanaian capital where large volumes of Nigerian onions are distributed.

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According to the traders, the situation escalated recently after a dispute between Nigerian and Ghanaian traders allegedly led to the confiscation of trucks transporting onions owned by Nigerian merchants.

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“Our members have faced sustained harassment, intimidation and interference in their legitimate trading activities,” the traders said in a notice addressed to relevant authorities and stakeholders.

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They described the confiscation of trucks as “a serious breach of established trade norms”, warning that the incident has significantly heightened tensions within the market.

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“This latest action has disrupted normal commercial activities and created a hostile environment for Nigerian traders operating in Ghana,” the notice stated.

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As a result, Nigerian onion marketers resolved to suspend all onion shipments across Nigerian borders to Ghana until the dispute is resolved and the safety of traders can be guaranteed.

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“The suspension has become necessary to prevent further losses, protect traders from continued harassment and draw urgent attention to the situation,” the group explained.

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The traders, however, emphasised that the measure is temporary and will remain in force pending the restoration of a fair and secure trading environment.

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Nigeria is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s largest producers and exporters of onions, with significant volumes transported to neighbouring countries including Ghana, where demand for the commodity remains high.

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Industry observers warn that the disruption could affect food supply chains and prices across parts of the region if the dispute persists.

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The Nigerian traders have therefore called on authorities in Nigeria and Ghana, as well as regional institutions, to urgently intervene.

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They urged stakeholders to investigate the alleged confiscation of onion trucks.

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