The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, Marfo Nana Amaniampong has condemned the action of some members of Ghana Union of Traders Association, (GUTA) to close Shops of some Nigerian traders in the Country.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Affairs Programme FOCUS, Mr. Marfo said GUTA members can not take the laws into their hands.
Adding that, government has initiated a number of diplomatic engagements on the matter and is hopeful of an amicable resolution soon.
For his part, the Chairman of GUTA, Benjamin Yeboah has called for close collaboration between the Union and government to protect the Ghanaian Trade and Industry.
Mr. Yeboah charged the regulatory agencies to ensure that foreigners are not involved in retail businesses.
Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Member of Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee of Parliament, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini also contributing on the same program, said the closure of the Nigeria border must be contextualised taking into consderations its adverse impact on economic activities.
He said Nigeria is the power house of West Africa, a driver of the integration process therefore a closure of the border will leave traders with no option, than to increase prices of goods and services.
The Convener for Ghana-Nigeria Business Intiative, Calbary Ndu said most of the Nigerian businesses in the Country are legally registered under Ghanaian law and pay taxes.
Mr. Calbary pleaded with GUTA and Ghanaians to find a better way to resolve the local retail trade problems amicably than locking up shops of foreigners.
In a separate development, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is appealing to GUTA not to take the law into its hands to fuel any attack among Ghanaian and Foreign Traders.
He also appealed for calm as Government is doing everything possible to solve the closure of the Nigerian border and bring back stranded Ghanaian traders at the border.
Speaking with Radio Ghana, the Head of Communications at the Trade Ministry, Prince Boakye Boateng said though GUTA has a genuine concern, the laws of the country must be respected and not abused.
