GUTA vows to replicate closure of foreign shops across the country

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has vowed to replicate the closure of all shops belonging to foreigners across the country.

This comes after the Kumasi chapter of the association locked up shops of foreigners engaging in retail business.

The group says this is in retaliation to the closure of the Nigerian border to Ghana and Benin.

Several manufacturers in Ghana have had their goods locked up at the borders after the Nigerian authorities closed its borders.

In an interview, PRO of the Ashanti regional GUTA, Albert Offei said they will not relent on their efforts to ensure government enforces the laws governing retail business in the country.

“It’s not only Kumasi. It’s going to be done in all regions. Accra will start their either today or tomorrow, Takoradi will start, Sunyani will also start. We want to prove to the government that he should use the law which he has set himself” Mr Offei said.

He also revealed the association is being intimidated by police in the region.

“the police are intimidating us. Why is it that someone is flouting the law and then as a citizen we asked the people to stop work and produce permit. But when the police came, instead of saying we should take the matter to court, they rather came to intimidate us” he stated.

The GIPC Act, restricts retail trading to Ghanaians only but that is not being enforced.

This is the second time Ghanaian traders have shut down the shops of their foreign counterparts.

Those affected by the lock up are predominantly Nigerians who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the actions of their Ghanaian counterpart.