Open your shops, we’ll protect you – Police to Nigerian traders

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has urged Nigerian shop owners in Suame in the Ashanti Region to open their shops today, Thursday, 20 June 2019 for business with an assurance of full police protection.

On Wednesday, 19 June 2019, a group of young men believed to be members of the Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) clad in red bands attacked a shop belonging to a Nigerian trader destroying items in the shop and burning Car tyres amidst chanting of war songs.

The Ghanaian traders argued that they are only enforcing the laws of Ghana which bar foreigners from engaging in the retail sub-sector, a preserve of Ghanaians.

The command in a statement, however, said it has taken a serious view of the attacks and has since deployed Police officers with the assistance of the military to the area to restore calm and ensure sanity.

“So far, two names have been mentioned to the Police as the mastermind of the attacks and efforts are underway to get them arrested. Other persons who have also been captured on video destroying properties belonging to Nigerian traders and burning car tyres will duly be identified and arrested,” the statement signed by ASP Godwin Ahianyo, Ashanti Regional Public Affairs Officer said.

Meanwhile, a meeting convened by executives of GUTA and the Nigerian Union of Traders Association Ghana (NUTAG) on Wednesday, 19 June 2019 resolved that, nobody should be prevented from doing his or her business.

The Police has warned that any person who does anything illegal will be arrested and prosecuted in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Police also urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage as some of the reports do not reflect the facts on the ground.