GUTA closes over 50 retail shops belonging to foreigners
Speaking exclusively on Afeema FM, the chairman, Mr Harry Oduro and deputy chairman Mr Samuel victor Aikens of GUTA blamed the high cost of Ghanaian goods on numerous taxes and high duties paid at the ports
Freeman Koryekpor 
THE EASTERN REGIONAL chapter of the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA) is calling on government to enforce Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) laws (GIPC Act 865) barring foreigners from engaging in retail businesses in the country.
Speaking exclusively on Afeema FM, the chairman, Mr Harry Oduro and deputy chairman Mr Samuel victor Aikens of GUTA blamed the high cost of Ghanaian goods on numerous taxes and high duties paid at the ports
According to them, the Nigerian traders import goods into their own country at low duties and taxes and later transport them by land to sell in Ghana at relatively cheaper prices without paying taxes to govt as compared to their Ghanaian counterparts.
They have vowed to flush out all foreign retailers in the Central business district of the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua before during and after the yuletide.
GUTA has since Monday locked up over 50 shops (still counting) belonging to foreigners (mostly Nigerians) who are into retail businesses.
"We will make sure to flush them out even if it will be termed a *"xynophobic attack"* because most of the big banks and businesses operating in Ghana are for Nigerians who always evade taxes while Ghanaians are just labouring for them!," He bemoaned.
GUTA has since Monday, November 20, 2023 held series of meetings with the Eastern Regional security council, (REGSEC) a separate meeting was held with the New Juabeng South police command yesterday, November 22, 2023 where outcome of the meeting is yet to be made public
Meanwhile, leadership of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association Ghana, (NUTAG) is yet to officially speak to the press on the outcome of their meeting with REGSEC.
The chairman of NUTAG in the Eastern Region, Mr Prince Okechukwu Okoli when contacted said they are still in a meeting and as a result of that he declined to speak.
Shops belonging to foreigners may be opened temporarily so their goods could be sold out on wholesale then permanently closed until a foreigner obliges to GIPC laws regarding their business operations in Ghana.
