The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has voiced its frustration with state agencies for their failure to enforce laws that restrict foreign nationals from participating in the retail market.
GUTA’s president, Mr Joseph Obeng, announced that the association is left with no alternative but to take direct action to prevent foreign traders from displacing local businesses.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline programme, Mr Obeng lamented the ineffective enforcement of investment laws, which has enabled foreign businesses to dominate the indigenous retail sector and sideline local enterprises.
He recommended that the Attorney-General’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ghana Immigration Service collaborate to address the issue.
Mr Obeng stated that GUTA could not remain passive while state institutions refused to act, alleging that foreign nationals have taken over approximately 70% of the retail market.
He cited the establishment of large retail outlets like China Mall and China Town as clear violations of Ghanaian trade laws.
“We travel to China to trade and sell to Ghanaians, but now they are here establishing malls, depriving us of our livelihoods,” he said. He warned that Ghanaian business owners would soon be pushed out entirely, referencing recent protests by the Abbosey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association and traders in Circle.
He expressed frustration that years of advocacy have gone unheard, questioning whether the government is succumbing to diplomatic pressure. “It is an indictment on us as a country to allow foreigners to breach our laws,” he declared. “Our sovereignty is under attack, and we must deal with this immediately. Even the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement has guidelines that cannot be crossed, so why are our leaders refusing to act and deal with these foreigners breaching our laws?”
Mr Obeng also mentioned that Nigeria has a list of 43 items under their “Effective Trade Restrictions List” (ETRL), which prevents the importation of certain goods to protect their local economy. He concluded with a stern warning: “It doesn’t make sense that our leaders have refused to enforce the law. No one should blame us if we take matters into our own hands because we will gradually get to that point, and we will not look back.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana