Diplomatic Crisis Looms Btw Nigeria And Ghana Over
Yellow Fever Vaccines On Nigerians Visiting Ghana
A diplomatic crisis is in the offing soon between
Nigeria and its good neighbor Ghana over the introduction of a vaccine certificate
for all Nigerians visiting the West African country.
According to CKN Nigeria special investigation, Ghana
introduced the measure about six months ago contrary to the ECOWAS treaty on
movement of citizens within the sub region.
The introduction of the yellow fever certificate has
been in diplomatic level as a subtle attack on the rights of Nigerians visiting
Ghana, a country that has been one of Nigerians closest ally ore independence.
While we could not ascertain the motive behind this
introduction by the authorities in Accra,it has been adduced that the measure
is to checkmate the influx of Nigerians who daily troop to the country for
business and other economic opportunities.
Most Nigerians have been denied entry into Ghana on the
basis of not possessing the Yellow fever vaccine certificate.
Nigerian diplomats especially at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs when contacted kept mute on this but a reliable source in the
Ministry said something is been done about it and soon a pronouncement may be
made by the government.
It will be recalled that a similar measure introduced
by South Africa led to a high wired diplomatic row between Nigeria and south
Africa after some Nigerians including a serving Senator of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria were turned back by south African immigration authorities for none
possession of Yellow Fever vaccine certificate.
The Nigerian government did not only repatriate some
South Africans but threatened to close down major South African companies doing
business in the country.
The South Africans were made to eat the humble pie when
President Jacob Zuma led government not only apologized to Nigeria but sent a
high powered delegation to appease the Nigerian government.
The obnoxious law was amended in favour of Africa’s
most populous nation.
CKN Nigeria attempt to speak to officials of the Ghanaian
embassy in Abuja and Lagos on this new development was unsuccessful….CKN