The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) in consultation with the national executives of the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA), Ministry of National Security and the Nigerian High Commission, has directed that all retail shops that were closed by a taskforce be opened with immediate effect.
The directive is to permit state institutions and agencies to carry out their lawful mandate of enforcing local laws and regulations including those related to the operation of businesses in Ghana.
The order comes after some Nigerians on Monday, 24 September 2018 staged a demonstration in Abuja against what they describe as intimidation of Nigerian businesses in Ghana.
The Nigerians said Ghanaian authorities have closed over 400 shops belonging to their kith and kin living in Ghana.
They claim their compatriots in Ghana are living in fear and are in a state of insecurity.
The protesters handed over a petition to the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Secretariat in Abuja and want the regional body to intervene.
However, a statement signed by Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, assured the international community, especially Nigerians that the government of Ghana has nothing against them or any other foreign national.
The statement said foreign nationals operating businesses in Ghana are not under any form of threat.
On the contrary, the statement noted, “Ghanaians are internationally acknowledged as very hospitable and friendly particularly to foreign nationals.”
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