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If They Open Their Shops, We Will Close It Again – GUTA Members Vow

General News If They Open Their Shops, We Will Close It Again – GUTA Members Vow
NOV 5, 2019 LISTEN

Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association, (GUTA) say they will continue locking up the shops of foreigners until the laws that bar them from engaging in retail trade is enforced.

Local retailers in parts of Accra and Kumasi have in recent times locked up foreign-owned shops as they push for the enforcement of Ghana's laws that prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade.

Just yesterday, some foreign-owned shops were locked up again for the umpteenth time at the Opera Square in Accra.

But a member of GUTA, who spoke to Citi News' Umaru Sanda at the Opera Square during the exercise, said both authorities and the foreigners should brace themselves for more of such closures if they fail to do the right thing.

“Our message is simple. We want the laws of this country to be enforced. We will not open the shops until the laws are enforced. If they open their shops, we will close it again. We are not timid. We are not cowards. We are 'more men' than they are.”

The operation which was not backed by police also targeted shops owned by Chinese and Nigerian nationals.

The police have however invited GUTA over their action.

Members of GUTA have on several occasions complained about what they say is the collapse of their businesses due to the invasion of foreigners in the retail business.

They say that the government has not fulfilled its promise of ridding the market of such traders despite several appeals.

According to them, the activities of the foreigners breach the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre's Act (Act 865).

---citinewsroom

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