The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has cautioned Ghanaian traders against fronting for foreign nationals engaged in retail trade, warning that offenders could face serious consequences under the new Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) law.

GUTA President, Clement Boateng, said the new law contained provisions to deal with the practice of Ghanaian traders allowing foreigners to use their names and businesses to operate in the retail sector.

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He urged Ghanaian traders involved in such arrangements to desist from the practice, saying enforcement operations would resume to ensure that foreigners complied with the law.

“We are advising our brothers and sisters who have been fronting for these foreigners to desist from it because, with the new Act, it has taken care of fronting,” he said.

Boateng made the remarks in Kumasi during the 10th National Executive Tour of GUTA on Monday, September 7, 2026. The tour is aimed at engaging traders across the country and identifying challenges affecting their businesses.

According to him, the issue of foreigners operating in Ghana’s retail trade had emerged as a major concern during all the regional engagements held so far, including those in the Northern and Bono regions.

“Of all the tours that we have been to, the major issue has to do with foreigners in retail trade. Today’s meeting in Kumasi is no exception,” he said.

He said GUTA had engaged the Chief Executive Officer of the GIPC, who had pledged to collaborate with the association to ensure that the issue was addressed.

Boateng explained that a major challenge in previous enforcement exercises had been the lack of support from some security agencies and local government authorities.

He said the GIPC CEO had therefore invited the police, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), District Chief Executives and immigration authorities to a meeting to agree on measures for future enforcement operations.

“We need the support of all the agencies involved so that we deal with this situation once and for all, and the Ghanaian trader will get the freedom to do his or her trading,” he said.

Boateng further warned that any Ghanaian found fronting for a foreign trader would be held responsible when the enforcement exercise resumes.

“Sooner or later, the task force will embark on its operation, and when you are caught, the law will deal with you severely,” he cautioned.

ANAS/MA

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