A Ghanaian journalist Emmanuel K. Dogbevi has suggested that if ECOWAS uses military force there will be a spill-over that would affect Ghana because of the country’s close relations with Ivory Coast.
Mr. Dogbevi, who is the Managing Online Editor of ghanabusinessnews.com made the remarks Tuesday December 28, 2010 when he was asked about the economic effects of the Ivorian situation on Ghana on the BBC World Service programme World Today.
He told the BBC’s Pascale Harter that there is a strong link between Ghana and Ivory Coast. “There are Ghanaians with families living on the other side of the border in Cote d’Ivoire.”
“I do not expect ECOWAS to move an army into Ivory Coast in trying to remove Gbagbo by force since that will escalate the situation and create a more serious condition in the West African sub-region and especially Ghana which shares direct economic links with Ivory Coast,” he said.
He said economic activities have already been affected in some communities in Ghana especially a border town called Gonokrom in the Dormaa Municipality where Customs officials have said that revenue collection has reduced because business activities have fallen drastically due to the political crisis in Ivory Coast.
He also said even though there are no reports of refugees streaming into Ghana at the moment, they are reported to be moving into Liberia, and he fears if violence escalates, refugees might start streaming into Ghana.
His comments come hours before an ECOWAS delegation made up of three Head of States has been sent to Ivory Coast to meet Laurent Gbagbo about a possible peaceful exit from power to allow Alassane Ouattara to take over as the President of the country that produces 40% of the world’s cocoa .
Ivory Coast has been plunged into political turmoil after a November 28, 2010 election run-off which both incumbent Gbagbo and opposition candidate Ouattara claimed to have won. The two men subsequently got themselves sworn into office, leading to a situation of two presidents in Ghana’s western neighbour.
Mr Dogbevi indicated that like many other rich African countries, even though Ivory Coast produces 40% of the world’s cocoa, most of the citizens are poor, because of mismanagement and corruption.
He therefore, suggested that it would not be worthwhile for ECOWAS to take a war to Ivory Coast as it would escalate the situation and push refugees into Ghana.
You can listen to the interview from this recording.
Ekow Quandzie
ghanabusinessnews.com
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