The Presidential Task force on Foreign Retail Trade set up by government to sanitize the country’s retail space is set to begin an exercise on August 10, to lock up foreign-owned retail shops whose operators do not have the requisite documents to do business in the country.
This follows renewed tensions between Ghanaians and Nigerian retailers in parts of Accra. Recently, members of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association in Accra locked up some Nigerian retail shops in protest against foreigners in retail trade against the GIPC Law that reserves the space for locals.
President of the Ghana Union of Traders, Dr. Joseph Obeng, who made this known to Citi Business News, said the traders have been advised to allow the task force to do its work.
“We have been assured by the Trade Minister that the Presidential task force on Foreign retail trade is going to start its work in earnest and for that, I’m appealing for calm. Everyone should wait for their turn whiles this exercise starts on the 10th of August,” he appealed.
GUTA however says the ECOWAS Commission owes it a duty to educate citizens of member states about the sub-regional protocols on trade, as the foreigners engaged in retail trade in Ghana are convinced that they are not breaking any law.
“I am also appealing to the ECOWAS Commission to educate member state citizens on what to do when they enter other countries on the rules of origin and the investment laws of the host countries. I think when they do this, it will also go a long a way to solve some of these infractions. It should also be noted that the ECOWAS court has given its ruling on this matter since 2013 and we wonder why this is not being communicated to its member state citizens,” he added.