The President of Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng has said that ECOWAS should not be bias to any state.
“No state should be allowed to bully another” Dr Joseph Obeng said.
The GUTA President made these remarks on the backdrop of a recent demonstration by foreign retailers in Ghana over allegations that they are not being treated fairly in Ghana and advised ECOWAS to probe the allegations made by the foreign retailers.
Mr. Obeng said it is the duty of ECOWAS to educate its members on its protocols. This he says, will inform foreigners on the rights and protocols of free trading.
BACKGROUND
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Trade and Industry gave non-Ghanaians in the retail sector up to July 27 to leave the markets or face the wrath of government.
In a statement, the Ministry threatened to take legal action against non-Ghanaians who did not adhere to the directive.
However the Ministry of Trade and Industry in a recent development rescinded its earlier decision and has now directed the immediate opening of all shops and retail outlets belonging to foreigners that were closed by the Taskforce on Retail Trade.
The decision followed extensive consultations between the Ministry and the national executives of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Ministry of National Security, the Nigeria High Commission and other relevant institutions.
In response to the statement by the Trade Ministry directing the immediate opening of all shops and retail outlets that had been closed by the Retail Trade task force, Mr. Obeng said GUTA is not against the government especially if that is the way forward.
He revealed that most of the foreigners closed their shops before the task force got there because some of the foreign retailers do not pay their taxes, VAT and also do not have working permits.
He added that out of about 2,000 foreign retailers in Ghana, GUTA’s investigations show that none of them have duty documents.
Dr. Joseph Obeng added that, Ghanaian retailers do not inflate the prices of their goods with the competition on the market with foreigners now, however most of the goods that foreign retailers sell are inferior compared to the Ghanaians goods.
He urged the foreigners to certify their businesses and goods by registering with the authorities and paying their taxes.
He said this in an interview with Jonathan Thompson on current affairs programme ‘Behind The News’ on Radio Ghana.
Story By: Nhyira Kwabi
