Ensure Foreigners Comply With Trade Rules

Mr Carlos Ahenkorah, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, has charged members of the Foreign Retail Trade Committee to ensure that foreigners comply with rules governing trading in Ghana.

He urged the Committee to sensitise the public on the effects of foreigners engaged in retail trade and regularly engage executives of Foreign Trading Association to ensure a successful compliance.

Mr Ahenkorah said this in Accra on Friday at the inauguration of the 20-member Foreign Retail Trade Committee to ensure strict compliance of the law relating to foreign trade.

He said the Ministry had noticed that foreigners engaged in retail trade contrary to section 27(1a) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 865, 2013, hence the need for the Committee to enforce the laws.

The Deputy Minister said the Act stated that 'a person who is not a citizen or an enterprise, which is not wholly owned by citizen shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place.'

Mr Ahenkorah appealed to the Committee not to harass the foreigners or prosecute them but ensure that they comply with the dictates of the law for peaceful coexistence.

Mr Julius Kofi Gbogla, the Assistance Commissioner of Immigration, Ghana Immigration Service, and Chairman of the Committee, accepted the responsibilities and assured government that the team would abide by the terms of assignment.

The Deputy Minister also inaugurated a 10-member Vetting Committee on Textiles to subject all seized goods to thorough scrutiny to ascertain the real ownership of the goods under reference and take the necessary decisions deem fit.

The Committee is expected to educate the public on the adverse effects of patronising pirated Ghanaian textile designs.

Members are to collaborate with the taskforce to check that all importers seek approval prior to importation and enforce the guidelines on importation of textiles.

Mr Kwasi Owusu, the Chairman of the Committee, pledged the resolute support of members to protect the interest of the nation and ensure that the right thing was done accordingly.