Ghana’s Minister for Foreign and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has advised all foreign missions in Ghana to register and regularize their documents to avert encroachment by private developers.

This caution follows the demolition of an uncompleted building on the property of the Nigerian High Commission by armed men in Accra some four years ago.

Speaking during a ceremony to hand over the reconstructed structure to the Nigerian authorities, the foreign affairs minister said the government of Ghana is committed to providing a safe space for international missions in Ghana.

“I also would like to take this opportunity to advise that diplomatic missions who are residents in Ghana, from time to time take a look at their documents to ensure that their documents are properly registered and regularized. I say this because it was one of the issues that we found out when this issue occurred."

"And it's not an excuse, and it can never be an excuse for the unfortunate demolition that occurred. But we found that, unfortunately, the High Commission of Nigeria had not regularized their documents,” Ms Shirley explained.

At the handing-over ceremony, the Nigerian government expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian authority for “its timely intervention” which served to calm the nerves of Nigerians as well as Ghanaians who could not afford to see the diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorate.

Director for Nigeria’s Foreign Service Academy Ambassador Chimezie Ogu, who delivered the remarks on behalf of Nigeria’s Foreign Minister further explained that during the peak of the incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana assured us that the building would be restored to its original state, a promise that has been fulfilled after a period of four years.

“I have been properly briefed that the building has been restored to its original state: a block of four (4) bedroom flats to accommodate the staff of the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Accra. The reconstructed building represents more than just a physical structure. It embodies the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that defines our relationship”.

This, he added, explains why the Nigeria High Commission has remained silent on compensation for the huge financial loss it incurred due to the demolished building.

According to Ambassador Ogun, the Mission has spent thousands of US dollars renting accommodations for its staff members.

“We appreciate Ghana's efforts to address the issues surrounding the demolition, including the establishment of a committee to identify the intruders and the commitment to engage with Nigeria officials at the highest level,” the ambassador added.

The government of Ghana is hopeful that in the years to come it will “deepen” bonds with Nigeria in order to elevate the mutual progress of Ghana, Nigeria, and all of Africa.