The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has expressed shock and disappointment in the leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA) for cancelling its planned “no shop day” scheduled for today, Monday, August 29, 2022.
The Association’s President Samson Awingobit says the decision was not in the interest of Ghanaian traders, who are struggling to survive the harsh economic conditions in the country.
GUTA agreed to reverse a decision to close its stores on Monday (August 29, 2022) in protest of the cedi’s depreciation against the US dollar.
On Thursday afternoon, the decision was reached following a four-hour closed-door meeting with members of the Council of State (25th August, 2022).
Mr. Awingobit, on the other hand, believes the move was terrible and an affront to the members’ collective decision.
He believes Ghanaians should blame GUTA and its leadership rather than the government for the plight of traders.
“GUTA is making fun of traders. They bear responsibility for the plight of traders. We are not acting in the same way that we criticized the previous administration and demanded better opportunities in the face of challenges. We could close our stores for two to three days during the previous administration. We did all of this to bring the government’s attention to our plight.
However, the current GUTA leadership is in cahoots with the government. They are in bed with a government that deceived traders by promising to shift the country away from taxation and toward production. However, they have done otherwise.”
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he said even in 2016, when traders across the country complained bitterly of economic hardship, they managed to sponsor the campaign of the NPP led by President Akufo-Addo.
He said in ”abaa yedi bo Takyi nu, anua na yedi bo Baah. But how come used the same tod to hit Takyi but refused to do the same for Baah?”
We have refused to take on the government as we did to the previous Mahama administration.”
In conclusion, he urged traders to demand accountability from their leaders because they are not being truthful or representing their interests.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
