Professor Kwame Agyenim-Boateng, an international relations expert, has called for a measured and lawful approach to the growing tensions between the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA) and foreign retailers.
While acknowledging the concerns of GUTA regarding the dominance of foreign businesses in the retail sector, he stressed the importance of following due process and avoiding vigilantism.
GUTA has renewed its campaign to have foreign retailers, particularly those from China, leave the Ghanaian market, claiming they have taken over as much as 70% of the retail trade.
The President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng, has described the situation as a major threat to the survival of local businesses.
This sentiment is also shared by the Spare Parts Dealers Association at Abossey Okai, which has reportedly advised Nigerian nationals to leave the retail market or face forced removal.
Professor Agyenim-Boateng cautioned against such actions, highlighting Ghana’s membership in international bodies like ECOWAS and the African Union (AU).
He stated that any move to address the issue must be based on strong evidence of legal breaches by foreign individuals.
He advised that the matter should be handled through diplomatic channels, with Ghana’s Foreign Minister engaging with their counterparts from the respective countries.
The professor emphasised that taking the law into their own hands could escalate tensions and harm Ghana’s international relations.
Instead of forceful removals, Professor Boateng advocates for the strict enforcement of existing laws.
He argues that any foreigner found to be undermining Ghanaian laws should be asked to leave lawfully, without resorting to violence or unlawful means that could jeopardize diplomatic ties.
“Ghana is a member of ECOWAS, the AU, and other bodies, making it a bit problematic to address these issues. Before we even deal with this matter, we need strong evidence to prove that the individuals we want out of the market have breached our laws. We have to allow Ghana’s Foreign Minister to intervene by engaging the Foreign Ministers of the various nations breaching our laws. We should not take the law into our own hands and force them out. It could escalate the issues, and that is not something we want,” he said in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
