The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has threatened a statewide protest if the government fails to take significant action against foreigners’ continuous participation in the local retail sector.
They believe that the law exclusively reserves retail trade for Ghanaians.
Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865) prohibits non-citizens and foreign-owned businesses from engaging in retail trade, petty dealing, hawking, or selling items in stalls and markets throughout the country.
However, the continued involvement of foreign nationals in these activities, particularly in urban business areas, has led to growing discontent among Ghanaian traders.
According to the affected traders, who are primarily mobile phone dealers and shop owners, insufficient implementation of this legislative provision has encouraged foreign nationals to operate unlawfully, undercutting local businesses and hurting their competitiveness.
Speaking with Citi Business News, GUTA’s Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Nana Kwabena Peprah, cautioned that the government’s silence in the face of repeated calls for enforcement is creating discontent among members.
“We have received no response from the administration following the Circle demonstration, nor have we received an invitation to discuss the issues. Due to the protest at Circle, we are receiving feedback from various sectors, including the regions.
“People are agitating and the government must immediately take action or else, GUTA members will begin demonstrations on those issues.”
The warning follows a trader demonstration last week and comes amid growing concerns over Ghana’s retail policy and its ramifications for local firms.
The failure or refusal of regulatory organisations to implement major elements of the GIPC Act, if left unaddressed, GUTA argues, could lead to widespread unrest inside Ghana’s economic corridors.
