No fewer than 21 shops belonging to Nigerians living in Ghana, had been shut since November, 2007, a Nigerian diplomat has said.

Mr Linus Ameh, an official of Nigeria High Commission in Accra. Ghana, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the businesses were closed over failure to comply with the country'slaw on retail trading.

He said Ghanaian authorities had imposed strict conditions on foreigners wishing to engage in retail trading.

"Their law says foreigners cannot participate in the local retail business except they have an equity capital of $300,000 (N35.4 millon), and employ at least five Ghanaians.

"Most Nigerian businessmen cannot meet this requirement," he said, adding that Ghana Investment Promotion Council set up a Task force to verify the businesses that had not met up the requirements.

Ameh said, however, many of the affected traders had petitioned the National Assembly, ECOWAS and presidency in Abuja, seeking for intervention.

Nigerian professionals in Accra had also scheduled a meeting with the country's Minister of Trade, to discuss the issue.

According to him, businesses affected by the closure include those engaged in the sale of second hand clothing, pharmaceuticals and spare parts.The diplomat described the conditions as too stringent and unrealistic and called on Nigerians residing in Ghana to follow the requirement of ECOWAS by registering their businesses at the Ministry of Commerce, to avoid embarrassment.

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