GUTA threatens ‘massive’ demonstration over lack of enforcement of retail trading laws

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) is threatening what it describes as a ‘massive’ demonstration against government if the law reserving retail business for nationals is not enforced.

President of the Association, Dr Joseph Obeng, at a press conference organized at the Central Business District in Accra indicated that if government failed to protect the interest of Ghanaian businessmen in the area of retail trade, they’ll have no option than to embark on a massive protest to register their displeasure.

The Association is giving government a three-month ultimatum to resolve the issue or risk a series of protests.

Ghanaian traders have locked up the stores of their Nigerian counterparts preventing them from doing business at major trading centers in Accra and Kumasi.

The retailers took matters into their own hands in a move to get government to enforce the law.

According to Section 27 (1) of the GIPC Act, a person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly-owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in 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.

Dr Obeng reiterated the law needs to be strongly adhered to in order to prevent foreigners from flouting them.

The Association is therefore demanding that government takes heed to their call.

 

Source: The Ghana Report/ Gloria Kafui Ahiable