The Secretary for Committee on Foreigners in Retail Trade, Mr. Maxwell Apenkro has disclosed that 92 shops belonging to foreign traders have been closed down due to failure to adhere to rules and regulations governing the trade industry in the country.

According to him, since the committee empowered by the government of Ghana begun the phase 1 of the exercise designed to investigation in the business dealings of foreigners in Retail trade, majority have taken steps to observe the regulations governing the commerce through business registration and filing annual returns; a mandate they neglected earlier.

“Two years ago, we were here to assess the documents of foreign traders regarding the genuity of their business as an entity in the country. Majority of them faltered with registrations and failed to observe the rules and regulations binding the industry so we gave them enough time to legally put things in order," Mr. Maxwell Apenkro said.

“It’s our duty to educate foreign traders and guide them on registration issues to make them eligible traders. They frowned on our advice and as on the first day of our exercise, 92 shops have been closed down. Since then, majority of them have started paying their taxes as the others have begun registering their business and filing the annual returns. It’s really a good step.”

The Committee on Foreigners in Retail Trade was set up by the government of Ghana to address issues about foreigners engaged in retail business in Ghana, an action that violates the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC’s) GIPC Act.

14 institutions that play a major role in Ghana’s trade are composed to oversee that external sellers are legally fit to trade within the boundaries of the West African country. The Ministry of Trade, Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, The Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Police, Immigration Service, and a few stakeholders of commerce involved to ensure sanity and a non-violation of the country’s rules on trade.

Mr. Maxwell Apenkro accounted that the committee in 2018 through findings got to know that majority of the traders had violated the GIPC Act which relates to how persons who are not citizens can engage in trading, including retail trade.

READ ALSO:

[PHOTOS] Admit your mistakes before making promises - Asantehene rebukes John Mahama

He briefed that traders were given ample time to position themselves and business through the right means but they turned deaf ears until now.

“Initially, we advised them to go by the country’s commands and register their business in order to be able to pay taxes to the government yet they failed hence the establishment of a committee to check on them.

“We have met with the various stakeholders at Accra in the first phase of discussions. From Kumasi, we will head to Koforidua.

“We cautioned them to put things in place and if they are still found guilty by the end of the deadline, we will close their shops yet the majority made up their minds to flout on our rules so we have no option than to close their shops,” he added.

The Ashanti Regional Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) chairman, Mr. Anthony Oppong described the action by the committee as a step in the right direction. He commended Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his concern on Ghana’s trade and the favorable step taken to preserve the heritage of Ghana.

“The president of Ghana, Nana Addo advised us that indeed, our claims are right but he cautioned us not to take advantage and create chaos. He promised that the government institutions would execute their mandate on our behalf.

“That is what we are witnessing and I pray this never ends. They have not been able to cover so many areas but we believe they will cover much in their three days of stay, which is an introductory stage.”