Again, Ghana trade union wants Nigeria retailers, others kicked out

Worried by the continuous increasing influx of foreign retailers especially from Nigeria and China, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has again called on its government to formulate stringent policies that will help promote local retailers’ businesses.

The locals led by the Association have been kicking against Nigerian and Chinese retailers in the country whom it says are contravening the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)’s directive that bars foreign participation in lower levels of the retail chain.

Local media reports that Barimah Ofori Ameyaw, President of the Association, reiterated the need for foreigners to be driven away from the retail market is non-negotiable.

“We have been here lamenting about foreigners invading the retail sector and economy, while government looks aloof as though they have seen nothing.

“The GIPC and the Trades Ministry who are supposed to regulate and ensure that foreigners do not invade the retail sector are also doing nothing about the situation.”

The GIPC Act, 2013 (Act 865) states among others that: ‘A person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in (a) the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place.’

In 2014, the rumpus Ghanaian retail market witnessed incessant protest against foreign retailers and also in 2016; members of GUPA close their shops, as a protest due to the same issue.

Nigerian retailers occupy major markets in Accra Kumasi and Asante selling majorly household commodities.

David Ibemere