The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has raised fresh concerns over the involvement of foreigners in petty trading in Ghana, describing the practice as a clear violation of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865).
According to GUTA, Section 27(1) of the law prohibits non-citizens and foreign-owned enterprises from engaging in retail trade, hawking, or selling goods in stalls and markets, yet these activities continue with impunity.
The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GUTA, Nana Kwabena Peprah, expressed frustration over the government’s silence following a recent protest held at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
“We’ve not had any response from the government after the protest at Circle, neither have we had any invitation from the government to dialogue on the issues,” he said, adding that the lack of engagement is worsening tensions among local traders across the country.
Nana Kwabena Peprah further warned that if government fails to intervene, the association will not hesitate to escalate the issue.
“People are agitating and the government must immediately take action or else, GUTA members will begin demonstrations on those issues,” he cautioned.
