Trade ministry appeals for calm among traders

Ministry of Trade has appealed for calm among traders as it addresses issues of foreigners invading Ghana’s retail market.

Already, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Yoofi Grant, has argued that the law was no more effective as it confines Ghanaians only to the retail sector to sell imported goods.

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has also stated that it will soon meet with the centre to address the issues.

Speaking to Citi Business News, a deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Carlos Ahenkorah, appealed to the traders to exercise restrain as the challenges are addressed.

“I will take this opportunity to advise my colleague Ghanaians who are in the retail market not to react. Many have spoken to me that they want to react but I will appeal to them not to do so,” he said.

He maintained that the law currently bars foreigners from entering into the retail sector, a provision that must be respected.

“What we have seen is that some foreigners have decided to flout this particular regime and they have gone to the extent of doing the retailing which they are not supposed to do. We are in talks with their embassies here for them to understand that this is not allowed,” he disclosed.

Mr.Ahenkorah stated that the situation is compounded by the foreigners in side-stepping the basic rules required to enter the sector.

“What we have even seen is that these people are not complying with the laws of retail. They are not issuing VAT invoices; they are not showcasing the name of their companies in front of their shops. We have given ourselves sometime and after the dialogue with the embassies, we will act,” he assured.