President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed that Ghana’s retail sector is legally reserved for citizens, stating clearly that foreign nationals are not permitted to engage in retail trade within the country.

Addressing the issue during a media engagement on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the President responded to growing concerns over foreign participation in local markets.

“The current law restricts the retail sector to only Ghanaians,” he said.

“Some argue it’s anti-competitive, but in most countries, certain parts of the economy are protected for the benefit of the people. Parliament will review the law, and whatever decision is made, we must abide by it,” he stated.

His remarks follow renewed calls by the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association for the closure of shops operated by foreign nationals in the retail space.

The Association is pushing for stricter enforcement of Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865), which prohibits non-Ghanaians from engaging in retail activities such as hawking or selling goods in market stalls.

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Despite these legal restrictions, the Association claims that foreign traders continue to operate in areas like Abossey Okai, creating what it describes as unfair competition and threatening the survival of local businesses.

Meanwhile, Simon Madjie, Chief Executive Officer of the GIPC, has reiterated Ghana’s commitment to attracting foreign investment while safeguarding sectors legally reserved for locals.

He disclosed that a new GIPC bill currently under review proposes administrative fines for violators, offering a more immediate enforcement tool than the existing court-based system.

The bill also aims to establish a national register of investors and businesses to enhance monitoring and compliance.





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