"I will like to appeal to Nigeria to open up her border" - John Dramani Mahama
The former Chairman of Economic Community of West African States has called on Nigeria to open her borders for business activities to resume
soireenews 
Former president of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama has appealed to the Nigerian Government to open their borders for economic activities to resume.
He spoke that the closure of the Benin border was having a significant toll on many businesses in the neighboring countries especially Ghana, Togo and Cote D’lvoire.
"I am sure that businesses in Nigeria that rely on supplies from these countries are also suffering.
"With the signing of the joint border task force agreement between Nigeria and her neighbors, I will like to take this opportunity to appeal to Nigeria to open up her border so that economic activities can resume," he said.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made the request whiles delivering the 7th Anniversary Lecture, Investiture into The Realnews Hall of Fame and The unveiling of the Book: Pathways to Political and Economic Development of Africa in Lagos themed, “'Beyond Politics: An Economic Narrative for West Africa'.
The president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari earlier revealed that the land borders were expected to be re-opened on January 31, 2020. The extension of the joint border operations code-named Exercise Swift Response has led to the total shutdown of land frontiers across the country.
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According to Mr. Mahama, former ECOWAS chairman, the interest of West African citizens comes first in everything therefore Nigeria must abide in the interest in the progress of ECOWAS and its people.
He revealed that the import of the following quote from the objective principles for establishment of ECOWAS ‘cannot be lost on us’.
"ECOWAS was set up to foster the ideal of collective self-sufficiency for its member states.
"As a trading union, it is also meant to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation.
"Integrated economic activities as envisaged in the area revolve around but are not limited to industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial issues, social as well as cultural matters," he said.
