Government goes after Ghanaians fronting for foreigners

Ghanaians fronting for foreign traders should hold themselves in readiness as the government sets out after them, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (MOTI) has said.

Deputy Minister, responsible for Trade, Carlos Ahenkorah made this assertion on Friday at the inauguration the committee on the foreign retail trade, and the vetting committee on textiles.

“We are going to find these people and the necessary laws that apply to such activities [would be applied].”

The Deputy Minister noted that, the committee on foreign retail trade would be mandated to enforce sections 27 (1) on activities reserved for Ghanaians; section 40 on offences and section 41 on penalties of the GIPC ACT 2013 (ACT865) as well as sensitizing the general public on the dangers inherent in Ghanaians fronting for foreigners in the retail sector

Furthermore this committee is expected to, and regularly, sensitize the public on the effects of foreigner’s engaged in retail trade, and regularly engage executives of foreign trading associations to ensure a successful compliance.

In the case of the vetting committee on textiles; they will subject all seized goods to thorough scrutiny to ascertain the real ownership of the goods under reference and take a decision, as well as collaborate with the Task Force to check all importers seeking approval prior to importation.

The Vetting Committee shall enforce the guidelines on importation on textiles, among other mandates.

The two committees are expected to ensure that trading laws of the country are being worked with, accordingly.

Trade in pirated textile designs and trademarks of Ghanaian companies have been a great worry to the nation due to its adverse effects on the textile industry.

As a result of this menace, the contribution of the textile industry to employment in Ghana has systematically declined from 30,000 in 1980’s and early 1990’s to its current abysmal level of about 2,000 workers.

The 21 member committee on foreign retail trade is chaired by Julius Gborglah of the Ghana Immigration Service, while the 12 member vetting committee on textiles is chaired by Kwasi Owusu Boadu of the Ghana Standards Authority.