Task force moves to reopen locked shops of foreign retailers operating legally

The task force set up by the government to deal with the trade impasse between Ghanaian and foreign traders will today begin reopening shops belonging to Nigerians that were locked earlier by members of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA).

The task force has representatives from the Police, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Immigration and Trade ministry among others.

The latest move comes on the back of the President’s directive to GUTA to allow the laws of the country to work after they locked up retail shops of foreign traders whose operation the law bars.

Speaking to Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Trade, Prince Boakye Boateng said shops that are operating legally will be opened.

“We have given the marching orders to the GIPC, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Revenue Authority, National security, Ghana Police service, Ministry of Defense, and the customs division of the GRA and so we are proceeding to the place effective today. Even this morning some have been there. Some of my committee members have been there. So I am just waiting for us to meet at 5 pm for them to come and report to us what has happened after we gave them the march to go and inspect whether the things that we say that people must comply with.

Those shops that have been closed, let us start with that and check whether those businesses have been registered with the Registrar General’s Department to operate. Do they pay their taxes, do they pay their SSNIT, do they have the status to even be in Ghana in the first place? So if those things are complete then the shops must be opened because they have complied with our laws. If they are not then they must remain closed”.