Foreigners Destroy 30 Ghanaian Shops

The fight between Ghanaian businessmen and their foreign competitors in the retail sector have reached crisis point, as 30 Ghanaian shops were yesterday destroyed at Tiptoe lane, a business enclave at Circle, in Accra.

According to sources, the destruction of the shops took place at 5am by some Nigerians, at a time most of the businessmen were preparing to commence trading.

The attack follows a recent collision between some Ghanaian spare parts dealers and the foreign traders in Suame in the Ashanti region.

Some Ghanaian shop owners accused a Nigerian businessman for masterminding the destruction.

The affected shop owners at the business enclave, complained of losing their items and hard-earned monies in the process.

Government is recalled to have given a 27 June 2018 deadline for all foreigners engaged in retail to stop or face the law.

However, government backed down on the threat, after several attempts by Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) to get the law enforced.

This has led Ghanaian retailers venting their disappointment on their foreign competitors while warning that the government will pay a political price.

GUTA Lifts Ban

Meanwhile, GUTA has rescinded the ban on foreign traders.

The Association has resolved to allow foreign traders, especially the ECOWAS citizens operating within the Suame magazine in the Ashanti Region to open their shops for normal business.

This, according to them, is to ensure cooperation between Ghanaian businessmen and their foreign competitors.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Dr Joseph Obeng, President of the Association said, “all parties are to cooperate and collaborate with the relevant institutions and state agencies to enforce and ensure full compliance with all laws and regulations governing the activities of trading in Ghana, with immediate effect.”

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum