NOPPMAN Lifts Suspension, Resumes Onion Exports to Ghana

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has announced the immediate resumption of onion exports from Nigeria to Ghana following the resolution of challenges that had disrupted cross-border trade.

The association made the announcement in a public notice signed on Thursday by its President, Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitasamu.

NOPPMAN said the decision to lift the suspension followed consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Trade of Nigeria and Ghana, diplomatic authorities, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other institutions.

The association had earlier suspended onion exports to Ghana over unresolved challenges affecting Nigerian and Nigerien onion traders operating in the country.

Among the issues raised were difficulties relating to the reception, allocation and offloading of onion consignments at Kotoku Market, as well as concerns over the safety and uninterrupted movement of goods across the border.

According to the latest notice, onion exports from Nigeria to Ghana can now resume with immediate effect.

NOPPMAN urged all exporters and transporters to conduct their activities peacefully and strictly comply with applicable laws, trade procedures and agreed market arrangements.

The association also advised exporters to maintain proper documentation and comply with relevant requirements under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ECOWAS protocols, phytosanitary regulations, customs procedures and other applicable trade rules.

NOPPMAN further called on stakeholders in Ghana to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring the safe reception, lawful movement, fair market access and uninterrupted offloading of legitimate onion consignments from Nigeria and Niger.

It stressed that any disagreement arising from cross-border onion trade should be resolved through dialogue and established dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than intimidation, obstruction or violence.

The association also advocated the establishment of a permanent and mutually acceptable framework for cross-border onion trade to safeguard the interests of producers, exporters, transporters, marketers and consumers across Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and other West African countries.

NOPPMAN expressed appreciation to government authorities, diplomatic missions and ECOWAS for their intervention in resolving the issues that led to the suspension.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful regional trade, food security and stronger economic cooperation among West African countries.

It urged all members and other stakeholders in the onion value chain to take note of the decision and comply with the applicable trade regulations.