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Minister-designate of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Alan John Kyerematen, refuted the claim that the application of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) law prohibiting foreigners from retailing targets certain countries of the Economic Community of West African States. (ECOWAS).
According to him, GIPC law enforcement aims to protect the interests and growth of indigenous Ghanaian businesses.
Responding to questions from the Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Alan Kyerementen said all foreign nationals in Ghana are obligated to abide by the country’s Retail Business Act as enshrined in law.
“We cannot have a situation in our country where Ghanaians are forced by these regulatory authorities to comply with these laws and then we turn to ignore when these same rules are violated by foreigners,” said the former. trade advisor to the United Nations Economic Commission. for Africa (ECA) underlined.
“I think it is important for us also to take note that this is not about targeting specific nationals, especially in West Africa, we are talking about foreigners in retail.” Ghana’s former ambassador to the United States told the Nominations Committee. of Parliament.
Section 27 (1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Act 2013 (Act 865) prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade.
Despite the law prohibiting foreigners from engaging in retail trade in the country, some foreign nationals continue to engage in such activities in violation of the law.
This development and the lack of proper implementation by regulatory agencies has led some Ghanaian retailers in parts of the country in recent times to have confrontations with foreign traders who engaged in retail trade.
But in response to a question from a member of the Odododiodio constituency, Edwin Nii Lantey Vandapuye, the designated Minister of Trade and Industry blamed the development on the lack of enforcement of GIPC laws by the agencies mandated to this Indeed, what tension between Ghanaians and some foreign traders.
Alan Kyerementen said foreigners wishing to engage in retail business must follow established rules as stipulated by law.
He was also unhappy with the abuse of certain regulations such as the abuse of immigration laws, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) regulations and issues regarding business licenses by some of these foreign traders.
To avoid future disruptions and further violations of the GIPC Act and other regulations, Alan Kyeremanten revealed that several consultations have been conducted between countries at the ECOWAS level to ensure that foreign nationals comply with the country’s laws on trade in detail.
Mr. Kyeremanten added that to maintain the long-standing friendship and economic commitments between the ECOWAS countries, they have agreed to consult and engage with each other when such laws are flouted by foreign nationals rather than take punitive measures against these nationals.
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