Drive foreigners out of retail markets — GUTA

The Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) has given the government 72 hours to drive foreigners out of retail businesses in the country or face their wrath.

According to the association, it will resort to wide-range of biting measures after the 72 hours.

Addressing an angry crowd of traders in Kumasi last Tuesday, after demonstrating through some principal streets in the metropolis, the Regional Secretary of GUTA, Mr Mohammed Ali, said most of their businesses had collapsed because of the unfair competition from the foreigners, most of whom brought in cheaper goods and had lower interest rates on loans they took from banks in their respective countries to operate.

He also advised the foreigners to desist from engaging in the illegal acts, else they would be compelled to take action against them.

“We have exhausted all diplomatic avenues and interacted with government officials on the matter but to no avail. We have no other choice than to give this ultimatum,” he said.

The regional GUTA has asked its branches across the nation to form a united front to combat the ‘crime’ and to give Ghanaian businesses a good future.

‘We are, therefore, requesting all retail traders in Ghana to come and join in the fight to salvage our businesses from eminent collapse,” Mr Ali said.

Legal framework

The GIPC Act 865 allows foreign nationals to do manufacturing and wholesale business in Ghana, with a threshold of $1 million as investment capital.

The law also allows them to employ not less than 20 Ghanaians.

Mr Ali alleged that there had been an influx of Nigerians, Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Egyptians and Turkish in Ghana’s retail business, which is an affront to the law.

“The foreigners have infiltrated all sectors of the retail trading market to the extent that some sell sachet water, roast plantain, hire vehicles and move from house to house peddling cooking utensils, textiles and plastic ware,” he said.

The secretary said if the illegal activities of the foreigners were not stopped it could threaten the future survival of Ghana’s local businesses.

He urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to exhibit the same zeal and commitment in fighting illegal mining, saying GUTA’s issues were more daring than the galamsey menace.