Sunday, 21 December

Nigeria's commercial dispute involving Ghanaian firm raises bilateral trade concerns-UK Certified Customer Communication expert warns

Business
Analyst Yaw Barima

A commercial dispute in Nigeria involving River Park Estate, a Ghanaian-owned real estate firm in Abuja, is generating concern within Ghana’s investment community and prompting calls for urgent diplomatic and stakeholder intervention to prevent strain on economic relations between the two countries.

River Park Estate, owned by renowned Ghanaian entrepreneur Sir Dr Sam Jonah, is currently embroiled in litigation before a Nigerian court.

However, allegations of actions taken against the business despite the matter being subjudicate have raised questions about due process and institutional conduct, heightening investor anxiety.

Analyst Yaw Barima has urged the Government of Ghana to engage decisively to safeguard the interests of Ghanaian businesses operating abroad.

“This moment calls for firm but constructive engagement by the Government of Ghana,” Barima said.

“There is a responsibility to protect Ghanaian investments overseas where credible concerns about fairness and due process arise.

This is not about confrontation, but about defending Ghana’s investment credibility.”

Mr Barima noted that Ghana’s reputation for a stable legal and regulatory environment has been central to the success of Nigerian businesses operating in the country.

“Nigerian enterprises have thrived in Ghana because property rights are respected and contracts are enforced,” he said. “That goodwill, however, is not inexhaustible.”

He further called on Nigerian businesses operating in Ghana to play an active role in advocating respect for judicial processes in Nigeria.

“They must not remain silent,” Mr Barima stated.

“They are uniquely positioned as stakeholders to urge restraint and respect for court procedures.

Silence risks allowing perceptions of injustice to harden.”

According to him, failure to address the matter could have wider implications beyond the immediate dispute.

“Unchecked perceptions can influence public sentiment, affect regulatory attitudes, and ultimately strain bilateral economic relations,” he warned.

“Ghana and Nigeria are too economically interdependent to allow a single dispute to escalate.”

Mr Barima stressed that the issue is one of mutual interest and pragmatic economics, noting that investor confidence is closely tied to perceptions of justice and fairness.

 

“When justice appears selective, commerce becomes fragile,” he said.

“How justice is administered at home can carry significant consequences beyond national borders.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah