Ghanaian traders lock up foreign traders’ stores in eastern region for further trade wars

Members of the Ghana Traders Union (GUTA) lock up shops in protest against foreigners operating retail stores.

New Juaben South Municipality retail traders in a protest described as peaceful, forcibly lock down some of their stores.

“Police to prevent illegal trade” is one of the writings placed on placards during the protest.

According to GUTA members, Ghana’s laws do not allow foreigners to enter the retail market.

During the foreclosure process, Ghanaian traders and a foreign trader who resist a shop foreclosure become almost chaotic.

GUTA’s public relations manager for the Eastern region, Darlen Nana Boateng, told Accra-based Citi News that “it can get chaotic but that’s not the plan we’re coming with.”

“He opens the shop and talks, they say he is going to work, he is not going to comply with the directive,” he adds.

Ghanaian and Nigerian traders have struggled for years in the retail trade.

For most Ghanaian traders, Nigerian counterparts dema to engage only is wholesale business based on Ghanaian laws.

But for Nigerian traders, they believe that free trade between ECOWAS countries allows them to operate freely in Ghana.

Because of this GIPC law which requires foreigners to have a minimum capital of $ 1 million to do business in Ghana, this is not appropriate.

Around September last year, Nigeria’s House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila visited Ghana’s Prez Nana Akufo Addo to discuss ways to resolve the trade wars.

Despite diplomatic talks, some Nigerian traders in parts of Ghana are unable to sell stores that are still locked up.

More than 40 foreign retail stores for Ghana are under lockdown amid protests by local traders.