GUTA Threatens Nationwide Protests Over Foreign Encroachment in Retail Sector
The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has issued a strong warning to the government, threatening nationwide demonstrations if urgent steps are not taken to curb the infiltration of foreigners into Ghana’s retail trade sector.
GUTA insists that retail trade is legally reserved for Ghanaians under Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865). This law prohibits non-Ghanaians from engaging in activities such as:
- Retail trading
- Hawking
- Petty trading
- Operating stalls or markets
However, the association says these regulations are being openly violated, especially in major commercial hubs, and the government has done little to stop the trend.
Mounting Frustration Among Local Traders
Local traders, particularly mobile phone dealers and shopkeepers, say foreign nationals are undercutting prices and threatening the survival of Ghanaian businesses, blaming the lack of enforcement as the root cause.
Speaking to Citi FM, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GUTA, Nana Kwabena Peprah, criticised the government’s silence following a recent protest at Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
“We’ve not had any response from the government after the protest at Circle, neither have we had any invitation from the government to dialogue on the issues,” he said.
He warned that dissatisfaction is growing rapidly within the trader community, not just in Accra but across all regions.
“People are agitating and the government must immediately take action or else, GUTA members will begin demonstrations on those issues,” he added.
Call for Urgent Enforcement
GUTA emphasized that if the government fails to rigorously implement the GIPC Act, the result could be widespread unrest in the commercial sector. The group is urging the government to:
- Initiate a national crackdown on foreign traders violating the law
- Engage in dialogue with local trade unions
- Strengthen border and trade monitoring systems
As tensions escalate, the situation has reignited broader conversations around economic sovereignty, local business protection, and trade regulation enforcement in Ghana.
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