Non-Ghanaian Retailers Given Ultimatum

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a 30-day ultimatum to non-Ghanaians operating in the retail sec-tor to vacate or face force eviction and prosecution.

The Ministry, in a public notice, asked the foreign retailers to vacate 48 markets across the country where they mostly operate.

It cited 35 markets in Accra, seven in Ashanti region and two each in the Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions and the rest in the Northern and Upper East regions.

In the statement, the Trade Min-istry said, 'Notwithstanding numer-ous interventions by the government to encourage non-Ghanaians engaged in retail trading in the market place to relocate, some non-Ghanaians have refused to comply with the directive.'

'The non-Ghanaians who further contravene the provisions of the Act 865 in the GIPC Law 2013 shall be prosecuted.'

In June, thousands of traders belonging to the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in Accra and Kumasi closed down their shops in protest against government's inabil-ity to eject the foreign traders from their markets.

The government subsequently promised to take action, but remained silent on the matter till now.

The Nigerian traders in these mar-kets have expressed displeasure about

the directive.
They called for exemptions and cited some ECOWAS protocols.

According to them, some Ghana-ians were also trading in the Nigerian retail sector who could also be axed if Ghana goes ahead to include Nigeri-ans in the directive.

The Reserved Markets The following markets are reserved solely for Ghanaians to engage in trading activities.

Greater Accra region, RawlingsPark and its surrounded areas, Okashie, Cow Lane, Sualaba Swan-mill, Tudu Market area, Circle Tip Toe Lane, Odawna Market Area and Kan-tamanto Market Area.

Others are Makola Market Area, Tema Station, Abossey Okai Spare parts market, Post Office area, Zongo lane area, Adabraka market, Malata market, UTC shoes market, Fishing net market, Agbobgoshise market, Timber market, Achimota market, Nima mar-ket and Tudu area market.

The rest are Odorkor/Mallam market, Kasoa/Weija market, New Town market area Nungua market, Labadi market, Ashawo market, Dome market, Lapaz market, Ashaiman mar-ket, Madina market and Tema market.

Ashanti Region, Suame market, Adum market, Kronom road market area, Asafo market, Central market, Obuasi main market and Ejura market area.

Brong Ahafo, Techiman central market and Sunyani central market

Eastern region, Koforidua Central market and Asamankese Central market.

Northern region, Tamale Central market.
Upper East region, Bolga central market.
BY Cephas Larbi
[email protected]