Ghana High Commission in Abuja faces closure over unpaid ground rent
Ghana’s High Commission Defence Section in Abuja is among 34 foreign missions at risk of being shut down by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over failure to pay ground rent, according to a report by The Punch.
The FCTA has issued a stern warning to all defaulting diplomatic missions to clear their outstanding rent obligations, some dating as far back as 2014.
Affected embassies were given a 14-day grace period, which expires today, Monday, June 9, 2025, following a directive from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Ghana’s High Commission Defence Section reportedly owes rent and could face enforcement action if payment is not made by the close of day.
Other embassies listed as defaulters include the Embassy of Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, the Philippines, Turkey, Guinea, and the Zambia High Commission, among others.
The FCTA has warned that defaulters will face additional penalty charges ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million, depending on the location of the property.
While some institutions, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, have reportedly settled their arrears, several embassies have publicly denied any outstanding debts.
The Russian Embassy told The Punch that it has consistently paid its rent and has documentation to prove it. Similarly, the German Embassy and Embassy of Turkiye questioned their inclusion on the list, suggesting possible administrative errors.
Despite these denials, FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, reaffirmed the administration’s readiness to commence enforcement, stating that defaulters who fail to comply by the deadline will face property revocation and legal consequences.
The situation places Ghana’s diplomatic mission in a precarious position, as the non-payment threatens the operations of its Defence Section.
Source: punchng.com
