The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, has called on the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), to remain calm while government tries to resolve the issue of foreigners engaging in retail business.
Mr Ahenkorah, made the call when he spoke to the media after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions on the 2016 Auditor General’s Report. GUTA recently protested about the influx of foreigners in the retail business, demanding action against these non-nationals involved in the retail trade.
Mr Ahenkorah said despite government’s concern for local retailers, it cannot act arbitrarily by driving out foreigners from the retail business.
He therefore asked GUTA members to exercise restraint while government tries to use administrative and political means to solve the problem.
He said Ghana is a member of ECOWAS and as such must go by the tenets of the treaty, which does not allow countries to discriminate against other nationals.
He hinted that the President of the ECOWAS Commission has sent emissaries to confer with the Ghanaian authorities on the situation.
Mr Ahenkorah also charged foreign retailers to be law abiding particularly with regards to regulations governing the retail business in the country.
