Members of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers
Association have given government a two-week ultimatum to clamp down on
foreigners engaged in retail business in the country or face a series of
actions by the association.
The ultimatum comes on the back of current agitations between Suame Magazine
traders in Kumasi and Nigerian nationals who have opened up retail shops at
Suame.
On Wednesday, 19 June 2019, a group of young men believed to be members of the
Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) clad in red bands attacked a shop
belonging to a Nigerian trader destroying items in the shop and burning car
tyres amidst chanting of war songs.
The Ghanaian traders argued that they are only enforcing the laws of Ghana
which bar foreigners from engaging in the retail sub-sector, a preserve of
Ghanaians.
The police intervened and has encouraged the Nigerians to open their shops
today, Thursday, 20 June 2019 for business with the assurance of protecting
them against any form of attacks.
Speaking at a press conference in support of the action taken by the Suame
traders to protest the continued infiltration of foreigners in their business,
the PRO for the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, Mr Francis Anom
called on government to act on the country’s laws which prohibits foreigners
from engaging in retail trade in the country.
He said: “The earlier the authorities sit up the better. We the Abossey Okai
Spare Parts Dealers Association will want to affirm our support to our brothers
and sisters in Kumasi who have taken it upon themselves to defend the course of
freedom and enforce their right in their business.
“We want to also register our displeasure towards that shameful speech by the
so-called Nigerian Professor which has gone viral on social media.
“We also want to register our displeasure to the Nigerian High Commissioner for
attacking our media for doing their rightful job. We want government to work
within a matter of two weeks or the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers
Association, we will take our destinies into our hands to register our
displeasure with the dormant approach taken by government towards this canker
in our society.”
ClassFM
