Nigerian Onion Traders Raise Alarm as Trucks Remain Seized in Ghana

Nigerian onion traders have called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene following the continued detention of trucks transporting onions to Ghana, warning that the situation could escalate into a major regional trade dispute if left unresolved.

The appeal was made by the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO), which expressed concern over the prolonged seizure of Nigerian onion trucks at Kotoku Market in Ghana. According to the organization, several trucks loaded with onions have remained stranded since Tuesday, July 21, after some Ghanaian onion traders allegedly prevented them from offloading their goods.

Speaking to journalists in Sokoto, ORO President Isa Aliyu described the incident as a serious threat not only to onion traders but also to Nigeria’s legitimate exports and regional trade relations. He urged the Federal Government to engage Ghanaian authorities immediately to secure the release of the affected trucks and prevent further economic losses.

Aliyu explained that onions are highly perishable, warning that every additional day the trucks remain stranded increases the risk of spoilage and financial losses for farmers, exporters, transporters, and other stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

Despite efforts by the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, and the ECOWAS Trade Directorate to resolve the issue, the trucks had not been released as of the time of his briefing.

According to Aliyu, the situation contradicts the spirit of regional economic cooperation, especially considering the long-standing trade relationship between Nigeria and Ghana. He noted that Ghanaian traders continue to purchase large volumes of onions from Nigeria without facing similar restrictions.

He revealed that more than 50 trucks of onions are sold to Ghanaian traders from Nigeria, while Nigeria exports an average of 16 truckloads of onions to Ghana every week. In addition, the Republic of Niger supplies approximately 10 truckloads weekly under existing regional trade arrangements.

Aliyu, who also serves as the National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), argued that the continued detention of the trucks undermines the principles of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), both of which promote the free movement of goods among member states.

He called on the Nigerian government to pursue diplomatic engagement with the Ghanaian authorities to safeguard Nigerian businesses, protect exporters, and preserve the strong commercial ties that have existed between the two countries for many years.

While expressing confidence that dialogue remains the best path to resolving the dispute, Aliyu warned that patience among Nigerian traders is wearing thin. He disclosed that stakeholders in the onion industry would convene a meeting if the trucks were not released by 2:00 p.m. on Friday to determine their next line of action.

According to him, Nigerian traders remain committed to peaceful engagement but cannot continue to endure what they consider unfair treatment in a regional market built on mutual cooperation and free trade.

The development has raised fresh concerns about cross-border trade within West Africa, with industry stakeholders urging swift diplomatic action to prevent disruptions to agricultural exports and protect the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and traders who depend on regional markets.