The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has not been evicted from its diplomatic property by its host nation.
The ministry’s spokesman, Ferdinand Nwonye, said in a statement on Friday that there was no diplomatic row between Nigeria and Ghana as speculated.
Mr Nwonye explained that the building was not occupied by the High Commissioner, Chancery or staff of the High Commission but only housed some properties of the mission.
“The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news circulating in the social media that its property on No. 10 Barnes Road, Accra, Ghana has been violated by the host authorities,” the statement said.
“And that there is a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Republic of Ghana. The Ministry wishes to state categorically that the news reports are untrue.
“The ministry wishes to clarify that the said property under reference was in use by the Federal Ministry of Finance, since 1957, on leasehold and was later bequeathed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The lease is said to have expired recently and the High Commission has been exploring the possibility of renewing the lease agreement with the host authorities.
“It should be noted that the building is not physically occupied but the Mission has some of its properties within the premises.
“It should further be reiterated that the property is not housing either the Residence of the High Commissioner or the Chancery or staff quarters.”
Nwonye also said that talks are still ongoing between the Mission and appropriate host authorities.
“There is, therefore, no imminent diplomatic row with Ghana as being speculated by a section of the media,’’ he said.
Nigerian traders in Ghana clashed severally with Ghanaian trade unions in 2019. The unions say Nigerians are taking over business space in the country.
