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The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Eastern region has carried out an enforcement exercise to close down over 38 mobile phone retail shops belonging to foreigners in Koforidua.
The Eastern Regional Vice Chairman of GUTA, Samuel Aikins, who spoke to Afeema News on Wednesday, said their action stems from the government’s failure to fully enforce the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre’s Act (Act 865) Section 27, which bars foreigners from operating in the country’s retail space.
Mr. Aikins said in an interview with Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Uniquenewsgh that the failure by authorities to enforce compliance with the G I P C law is now having numerous adverse effects on the Ghanian economy, emphasizing high inflation, rapid depreciation of the Cedi, collapsing the manufacturing sector, and the high cost of shops crumbling down the export sector, among others.
He mentioned that the association members will persistently undertake similar exercises, including foreigners engaged in tabletop business until the canker is flashed out from the regional capital.
Thus, the vice chairman has warned all foreigners in retail trade in Koforidua to leave the markets before Christmas festivities.
The Eastern regional branch has threatened to take destiny into its hands to flush out all foreigners in retail trade in the market if they do not leave the market places by the stipulated time frame.
According to the Eastern Regional Vice President, the illegal activities of the foreigners are collapsing local businesses in the region and the country at large.
He stressed that foreigners have no consideration for value for money because they mostly deal with inferior products without considering the interests of consumers.
Mr. Samuel Aikins tells Kaakyire Kwasi Afari of Uniquenewsgh that GUTA is in agreement with the President’s suggestions of industrialization and limited importations but believes this must be done in areas where Ghana has a competitive advantage.
However, going into Christmas festivities, the Ghana Union of Traders Association in the Eastern region has predicted that there will be no shortage of goods before, during, and after the Christmas festive season.
According to GUTA, they are fully prepared to supply adequate goods to the market for consumers as far as the Christmas celebration is concerned.
When asked about their views and expectations ahead of the readings of the 2024 Budget, Mr. Samuel Aikins says the association is not ready to welcome any new tax from the government, but rather, they are calling on the finance minister to reduce the existing taxes to encourage businessmen.
He said the current taxes are putting more burden on the business community, which is already in distress.
By Kaakyire Kwasi Afari/uniquenews.com
