Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have denied claims by Deputy Trade Minister Carlos Ahenkorah that they stormed his office to attack him over the suspension of the ban on foreigner-retailers.

Mr Ahenkorah on Thursday, 26 July told Chief Jerry Forson that members of GUTA were in his office on Wednesday, 25 July to demand a meeting with him concerning the implementation of the ban on foreigners who are engaged in petty trade.

Mr Ahenkorah explained that when the GUTA members came to his office, they were livid and used all manner of unprintable words at him following the suspension of the ban.

“They came to my office claiming that I have scheduled a meeting with them but I didn’t know about the meeting,” he said, adding that: “Unfortunately, they used all manner of words at me for not meeting them.”

Also speaking on Ghana Yensom the same day, Deputy Secretary General of GUTA, Nana Poku, said: “We have no time to attack him, we have a responsibility as Ghanaians and that is what we are focused on.”

“He rather called an emergency meeting in his office at 11:30AM for a discussion, but during the 12 md-day news, we heard that they have suspended the ban.”

He added: “We want the government to apply the law and prevent the foreigners from engaging in the petty trade. If they fail to do that we can only wait and vote out this government.

“We know the President means well for Ghanaians but some of his appointees including Carlos Ahenkorah are creating problems for him.”

A statement issued by the Ministry, and signed by the Chief Director, Ebenezer Padi Adjiriackor, explained that the suspension of the ban is to help them intensify sensitisation and education in the domestic retail trade sector.

"The ministry, however, demands the cooperation of the trading community and the general public in this regard," the statement said.

The ministry earlier gave notice to all foreign retailers to vacate the country’s retail markets by 27 July 2018 or face severe sanctions.