ABUJA, Nigeria — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has secured the release of five Nigerian trucks transporting onions that were detained at Kotoku Market in Ghana, ending a standoff that had raised concerns over regional trade relations.
The Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/WCA) confirmed that the trucks, which had been held since Tuesday, were released on Friday following ECOWAS intervention.
According to the organization, the trucks were prevented from unloading by a traders’ association despite regional agreements guaranteeing the free movement of goods among ECOWAS member states.
ORO/WCA President Aliyu Maitasamu welcomed the intervention, describing it as crucial in preventing further financial losses for traders while reaffirming ECOWAS’ commitment to regional economic integration.
He called for the establishment of a permanent framework governing cross-border onion trade under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System to prevent similar incidents and strengthen confidence among regional traders.
