Fear is said to have gripped the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso announced their withdrawal from the membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
GUTA expressed concerns about how their supply chain from these three West African Countries is going to be greatly interrupted sooner than later.
Ghana imports onions, tomatoes, Maize, Millets and other staple foods from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
On Sunday, 28th January 2024, there was a joint communique from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso indicating an immediate withdrawal from the ECOWAS. The three countries experienced a power shift when the Military overthrew a democratically elected government.
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Subsequently, the regional body imposed certain sanctions on these erring countries.
However, the three Francophone countries described the sanctions placed on them by the ECOWAS as inhumane, hence their withdrawal.
This has necessitated the fear being expressed by GUTA. According to the GUTA President, Dr. Joseph Obeng, the earlier a solution is found to this latest economic development the better.
Expressing these sentiments during a radio interview on Joy FM on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the GUTA President said; “It will surely have an impact, and we do not know how its going to affect the free flow of traffic and humans.”
Meanwhile, ECOWAS, in a press release, has denied reception of any formal letter from the gang of three.
In a related development, Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Hon. Boniface Gambilla has assured members of GUTA to exercise restraint as he describes their fear as too early.
