GUTA Seeks Collaboration With Foreign Traders

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has resolved to allow foreign traders, especially the ECOWAS citizens operating within the Suame magazine in the Ashanti Region to open their shops for normal business.

This new development is to retract the initial stance by the Trade Ministry on August 2 to disallow foreign traders from engaging in a small-scale trade which is reserved for Ghanaians.

The Associations move follows a collision between some Ghanaian spare parts dealers and the foreign traders in Suame in the Ashanti region a few weeks ago.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, President of the Association, Dr Joseph Obeng said, "all parties are to cooperate and collaborate with the relevant institutions and state agencies to enforce and ensure full compliance with all laws and regulations governing the activities of trading in Ghana, with immediate effect."

Association applauded government for its immense role in ensuring that issues regarding trade in Suame are resolved.

"The leadership and members of GUTA expressed their profound gratitude to President Akufo-Addo; Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah; National Security Advisor, Lt. General Emmanuel Okyere; S. K. Boafo, former Ashanti Regional Minister and Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, for the critical role they played in resolving the issues," the statement added.

The leadership is hopeful that all traders in the Suame Magazine area and it’s environs adhere strictly to the arrangements laid down to promote peace and tranquillity in the retail sector in the Ashanti Region and country in general.