Ghanaian traders in Accra’s bustling Circle business hub have shut down their shops in protest over what they describe as a takeover of the local retail market by foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians.
The traders say they will not reopen until the government acts decisively. The aggrieved traders insist the growing presence of foreigners in retail, especially in mobile phone and laptop accessories, is a violation of Ghanaian law and poses a direct threat to their livelihoods.
Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) argue that Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 865 clearly bars foreigners from engaging in retail trade, market sales, hawking, and petty trading.
They are demanding that the GIPC and other regulatory bodies enforce the law and clamp down on the unlawful operations of foreign traders.
At a press conference, Eric Gyamfi, Chairman of the Mobile Phones Association of Ghana, warned that the situation is spiraling out of control.
He urged the government to reset the market environment and protect Ghanaian traders from what he described as unfair and illegal competition.
By Bawa Musah
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