- VeryDarkMan visited Abossey Okai market to investigate the eviction of Nigerian traders following online calls
- A Nigerian trader explained they opened shops after Ghanaian retailers defaulted under failed wholesale arrangements
- The Nigerians denied selling cheap or defrauding locals, blaming misinformation for rising tensions
Well-known Nigerian social media influencer, VeryDarkMan (VDM), finally heeded the call of many and visited the Abossey Okai spare parts market to investigate the reasons behind the eviction saga.
Source: Instagram
YEN.com.gh understands that many Nigerians called the attention of VDM following multiple videos that showed the closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders.
VDM, known for his distinct views and actions on societal matters, visited the market and decided to interview some Nigerian traders. One of the Nigerians spoke on how the issue stemmed from a disagreement over business models.
Abossey Okai eviction: VDM interviews Nigerian traders
According to the Nigerian trader, their Ghanaian counterparts preferred that they (Nigerians) should act solely as importers and wholesalers, supplying them with goods to retail. However, the Nigerian claimed such a business model failed because many Ghanaian retailers defaulted on payments.
Source: Instagram
The Nigerian trader explained that the model led them into significant financial losses, making them set up their own retail shops to have direct control over their sales and capital. This move, of course, made the Ghanaian traders invoke the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) law.
This law restricts foreigners from retail trade in markets like the Abossey Okai. The Nigerian traders also debunked allegations that they deliberately undercut prices to drive Ghanaians out of business.
One of the Nigerians said:
“How can you sell things cheap? Because there’s no way… if you bring goods from the seaport, you pay customs duty. If you bring it from the sea, you pay customs. If you pass through the border, you pay customs. So anytime you bring the goods, you need to get your money back. You can’t sell cheap. There’s no way you can sell cheap.”
They also refuted claims of widespread fraud and hook up as generalizations not representative of the entire community.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to VDM’s Abossey Okai visit
YEN.com.gh collected reactions from netizens who watched the video on Instagram. Some of the comments are below.
kris_louisa_scany said:
“VDM is doing a great job; he is trying to de-escalate the unnecessary tension going on between both Ghanaians and Nigerians. I see nothing wrong here.❤️❤️”
Roadman8235 wrote:
“So, the two governments from both sides couldn’t host a meeting over this issue already? Well done, young man 👏🏾, because I know a lot of people who travel to Nigeria to trade and also import stuff. Even my sis goes to Nigeria to buy all this hair and ladies’ stuff. All this Ghana must go and Nigeria must go brouhaha is just political tension that’s taking us backwards. Instead of us Africans working together to strengthen the continent.”
Akomapah commented:
“Some of these Nigerians act like living in Ghana for 10-15-25 years alone makes them automatically Ghanaians. Many take advantage of our women, feel entitled, and now run spare parts shops; forgetting retail is for Ghanaians, not them.”
Abossey Okai spare parts dealers reaffirm eviction
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association addressed Nigerian traders after issuing a three-day eviction ultimatum.
The Association defended the eviction move by citing the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 865, which reserves markets for citizens.
The representative stressed the action targets to enforce laws, not alienate Nigerians, highlighting what he claimed was unfair competition.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
