Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 14 The political and social chaos made Nigeria Airways of Nigeria and Air Afrique of Cote d'Ivoire to cancel all their flights to Ghana. Moreover, Ghana's neighbours issued stern warnings to their citizens to desist from travelling to Ghana. The only foreign policy action taken was the attendance of the 1979 NAM Summit in Havana, Cuba. 25 The AFRC made way for another democratically-elected government under the Peoples National Party(PNP) administration. Some scholars such as G. K. Bluwey believe that the economic quandary of Ghana did not afford Dr. Limann the luxury of pursuing a foreign policy that was different from that of his predecessors. In the arena of integration, he sought the goodwill of his neighbours especially Nigeria and this paid off quite generously. He assured them of Ghana's support and enforcement of the ECOWAS Treaty. Bilateral agreements between Ghana and Nigeria resulted in Ghana getting a credit facility for supply of crude oil and natural gas. With respect to the OAU, the leadership style of Limann was also not inspiring as it saw Ghana playing its role as any other member supporting the ideals of decolonisation in Africa. The PNP Government was overthrown by the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) under the leadership once again of Ft. Lt.(Rtd) Rawlings in 1981. Not much attention was given to the integration process in Africa in the first few years of that regime. The militant and anti-imperialist approach of Rawlings as well as close association with Col. Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi of Libya(then suspected of engaging in terrorist and subversive acts) did not endear him to his neighbours and the world at large. The shutting of Ghana's borders to her neighbours and the banning of night flights to Ghana are typical examples. Additionally, the use of radio broadcasts allegedly to incite workers and the underprivileged against their exploiters, infuriated Ghana's neighbours, namely Togo and Cote d'Ivoire. 26 The junta indirectly put the brakes on the ECOWAS Treaty in that the closure of the borders inhibited the free movement of goods, services and persons. The withdrawal of Nigeria's oil credit facility and stoppage of trading activities with Ghana was a big blow to the fragile economy and deepened its financial dependence on Libya. The traditional role of Ghana as a pacesetter in the promotion of integration became evident when relations with Libya became strained and Ghana upon seeking Western assistance started playing a key role in the integration drive. Ghana's'new' image gave the PNDC the impetus to make meaningful contribution to the OAU. As part of its commitment to and with the collaboration of Algeria and Burkina Faso, the Emergency Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa was established with an amount of$500,000 as its contribution. Furthermore, in 1980, Ghana contributed 25 G. K. Bluwey(Unpublished), pp. 324-327. 26 Ibid, p. 344.
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