NOPPMAN Appeals to ECOWAS Over Ghana Onion Truck Blockade

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has called for urgent intervention from ECOWAS regarding the ongoing restrictions faced by Nigerian and Nigerien onion trucks at Kotoku Market in Ghana. During a press conference in Sokoto, NOPPMAN's National President, Aliyu Isah Maitasamu, stated that these delays are causing substantial financial losses for exporters and transporters while risking the deterioration of perishable onions.

Despite previous efforts by the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments to resolve the issue, restrictions persist. Maitasamu emphasized that the association's concerns are directed at the unilateral imposition of trade restrictions by market actors, rather than the people of Ghana.

He urged ECOWAS to mediate and facilitate a resolution involving both governments and relevant stakeholders. To prevent future issues, NOPPMAN proposed a formal Memorandum of Agreement for cross-border onion trade, which should align with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and establish clear rules for market access and dispute resolution.