GUTA On Rampage In Kumasi …As MCE Blames ‘Stubborn’ Nigerians

The timely intervention of armed police and military personnel in Kumasi, reportedly averted a nasty situation on Wednesday in the Ashanti Regional Capital, after the shops of some foreign nationals were placed under lock and key by some people, believed to be members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).

The suspected ‘GUTA members’, said to be armed with offensive weapons, reportedly stormed the Suame Magazine, Bantama, Alabar area and forcibly locked the shops of suspected foreigners.

THE NEW PUBLISHER learnt that the pursuers, at a point had the intention of physically assaulting the foreigners for allegedly collapsing their businesses, but the heavily-armed security personnel stood in their way.

Apart from shielding the foreigners, who are mainly from other West African countries, including Nigeria, the security personnel also opened the locked shops.

The Suame Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr. Osei Bobie, speaking on Nhyira FM, condemned the attacks, but was quick to note that the foreigners were not helping matters.

He said efforts by the Assembly to register foreigners doing business at the Magazine to offer them the needed protection was rejected by the foreigners.

“…But the foreigners, especially the Nigerians that are trading at Suame Magazine, are not cooperating and that is making it difficult for the assembly to give them protection”, he bemoaned.

According to him, the frequent clashes between GUTA and the foreigners pose a great security threat to the Municipality and Kumasi in general.

Dr. Bobie, however, assured that his office would continue to reach out to them and get their data so they can protect them in the future.