Foreign Affairs Ministry: No Diplomatic Tensions With Ghana

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that Nigeria and Ghana have no ongoing diplomatic tussle.

This statement was made by Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson of the ministry, in Abuja, also adding that the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has not been evicted from its diplomatic property in the country.

The spokesperson also said that the diplomatic building was not home to the High Commissioner, Chancery or staff of the High Commission but only properties belonging to the mission.

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In the statement, Nwonye said, “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news circulating on social media that its property on No. 10 Barnes Road, Accra, Ghana has been violated by the host authorities.

“And that there is a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Republic of Ghana. The Ministry wishes to state categorically that the news reports are untrue.

“The Ministry wishes to clarify that the said property under reference was in use by the Federal Ministry of Finance, since 1957, on leasehold and was later bequeathed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The lease is said to have expired recently and the High Commission has been exploring the possibility of renewing the lease agreement with the host authorities.

“It should be noted that the building is not physically occupied but the Mission has some of its properties within the premises.

“It should further be reiterated that the property is not housing either the Residence of the High Commissioner or the Chancery or staff quarters.

“However, talks are still ongoing between the Mission and appropriate host authorities.

 
“There is therefore no imminent diplomatic row with Ghana as being speculated by a section of the media."