Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) Richard Amamoo has blamed the recent commotion between its members and some Nigerian traders on the inaction of government.
According to him, the impasse would have been avoided if government had listen to their pleas for the enforcement of laws against foreigners engaging in retail trade.
Retail trade under Ghana’s laws is restricted to Ghanaians with foreigners restricted to business that require the investment of $1million and above that will lead to the employment of a certain number of locals.
Richard Amamoo however tells Gold News, foreigners are actively engaged in retailing and has accused government of turning a blind eye to the situation.
He says government has over the years ignored several pleas of GUTA to enforce laws against foreign retailers who trade in the country without following the procedures necessary to make them eligible.
Richard Amamoo said this week’s events are a reaction to what the traders believe
The GUTA scribe disclosed that the prevailing situation is creating unfavourable competition for Ghanaian retailers who are heavily constrained by the bad business climate.
Mr. Amamoo said they are being forced to compete with relatively richer foreigners who are ready access to less expensive capital in their countries leading to a situation where their foreign counterparts sell wares at cheaper prices.
He therefore urged government to implement the laws to promote serenity among traders in the country.
Two Nigerian-owned shops were vandalised by some angry Ghanaian youth yesterday in their quest to display their displeasure with GUTA for reopening closed Nigerian retail shops.
Story by: Karen Quaye/Radiogoldlive.com
