Open land borders for business – Obiri Boahen tells government

The Deputy General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has backed calls for government to open land borders to business.

Some Ghanaians, including former President John Mahama, have entreated the government to re-open the land borders.

President Akufo-Addo, on March 22, 2020, announced the closure of the country’s land, sea and air borders as part of measures to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Air and sea borders have since been opened, leaving land borders shut.

Speaking to Nhyira FM’s Nana Kwadwo Jantuah on ‘Kuro Yi Mu Nsem’, Nana Obiri Boahen said the extended closure of land borders contributes to the current economic hardship in the country.

He wants the borders to be opened as soon as possible.

“For the past 15 years, the heat in the weather in March and April affects the cassava the country produces, which makes Ghana greatly dependent on the importation of rice.

“If you look at the importation of rice, the demands always shoot up in March and April, so the closure of land borders at this time will make the price of rice shoot up.

The rice the country consumes much comes from the neighbouring countries, and the borders are closed.
So the traders will increase the price of the little in the system. But when the borders are opened, much rice will be in the system which will compel the traders to reduce their price and reduce the hardship.”

Nana Obiri Boahen says it is high time government gives the audience to call for the border to be opened.

“I want to keep some things to myself. For example, I have done a good number of cases regarding lands, but no one has ever called me for my input, including the Agric and Mining Ministry.

“When was the last time these ministries invited me to their stakeholder’s meeting? They have never called me.”

Nana Obiri Boahen acknowledged the reality of hard times in the country but attributed this to global challenges with local impacts.

He, however, wants the government to undertake self-introspection better to appreciate contributing factors to the woes in the economy.

“I agree that there is hardship in the country even the bread prices have been increased, but we should not also overlook the happenings in international politics.

“We should also undertake self-introspections of ourselves which could be a hardship factor. We should be honest to ourselves and cut costs if possible.”