Gov't to crack down on traders causing confusion over foreign retailers

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has sent out a warning to persons using the removal of foreigners from Ghana’s retail market to cause confusion.

Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah has said the government will weed out such persons.

“We heard recently that there was some issue that happened at the tiptoe lane; which has got nothing to do with GUTA, it has got nothing to do with the Ministry of Trade and has got nothing to do with foreign trade so if anybody intends to take advantage of this situation to create confusion, I tell you we will come after you.”

There has also been tension at Suame Magazine in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region were some local retailers have vowed to evict foreigners who operate within the enclave.

There was an initial deadline of July 27, 2018, to evict the traders. But that was pushed back in favor of more dialogue to the displeasure of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).

Per the GIPC law Section 27 (1) of the GIPC Act, a person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place.

In the meantime, the deputy Minister has urged non-Ghanaians in the retail sector to respect Ghana’s laws.

“I will plead with our investors or investing parties to ensure that whatever regulation or guidelines that are enshrined under the rules of engagement are observed, not thwarted.”

“I believe that they are law abiding citizens in their countries and they respect the laws. There are laws in Ghana and we expect these laws to be also respected. The intention is not to sack anybody. The intention here is to ask the people to respect the laws of Ghana,” Mr. Ahenkorah said.

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citinewsroom.com/Ghana

Source: citifmonline.com