We are not against foreigners – GUTA

Trade Ministry has given foreigners in retail businesses three weeks to leave the markets

The Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) is not against foreigners doing business in Ghana, Kwadwo Amoateng, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the body, has said.

According to him, the association is rather against foreigners who are engaged in petty trading in Ghana, since the laws of the land frown on that.

Mr Amoateng explained that petty trading in Ghana, as stated by the law, is the preserve of only Ghanaians and should be recognised as such.

His comment comes on the back of a 27 July 2018 deadline given by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to all non-Ghanaians in the retail industry, to stop their business or face legal action.

The Ministry, in a statement, said: “Notice is hereby given to all non-Ghanaians who are engaged in retail trading activities contrary to the provision of the Act [GIPC Law 2013] to desist from doing so. All persons engaged in such practices are, therefore, advised to stop to avoid legal action being taken against them”.

It added that: “Offenders are entreated to move out of the markets by Friday, 27 July 2018.”

Over the years, GUTA has had cause to worry over the influx of foreign nationals in the retail sector.

Commenting on the matter on Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Friday, 13 July 2018, Mr Amoateng said: “We want to make this clear that GUTA is not against foreign businesses such as Melcom and the others, all we’re saying is that the laws of the land are against foreigners engaging in petty trading in Ghana.

“Such trading activity is left in the hands of Ghanaians. If foreigners want to engage in business activities, they can do that on large-scale which the laws permit.”

He added: “We are also mindful of the fact that there are Ghanaians all around the world doing businesses but they also follow the laws in those countries.”