Some members of the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) on Monday, locked up shops owned by foreigners at the Opera Square in Accra.
This action, which resulted in a standoff, has seen leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Nigerian Union of Traders invited by the police for talks on ways to end the impasse.
The closure of shops grounded business at Opera Square in Accra – a hub for electrical retailers at the Central Business District of Accra.
Some members of the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) on Monday, locked up shops owned by foreigners at the Opera Square in Accra.
This action, which resulted in a standoff, has seen leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Nigerian Union of Traders invited by the police for talks on ways to end the impasse.
The closure of shops grounded business at Opera Square in Accra – a hub for electrical retailers at the Central Business District of Accra.
The Accra Region Operations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent, Kwasi Ofori, told Joy Business that, “moves have been put in place to ensure sanity prevails. We have also invited both parties on the best ways to resolve this matter before it escalates”.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Union of Traders in Ghana, Chief Chukwuemeka Nnaji, has expressed frustration over the entire incident.
Retail traders in the Ashanti Regional capital and even in Accra have accused foreigners, Nigerians especially, of engaging in retail trade, contrary to Section 27 of GIPC Act 865 which prohibits non-Ghanaians from engaging in retail trade in the jurisdiction.
Some members of the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) on Monday, locked up shops owned by foreigners at the Opera Square in Accra.
This action, which resulted in a standoff, has seen leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Nigerian Union of Traders invited by the police for talks on ways to end the impasse.
The closure of shops grounded business at Opera Square in Accra – a hub for electrical retailers at the Central Business District of Accra.
The Accra Region Operations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent, Kwasi Ofori, told Joy Business that, “moves have been put in place to ensure sanity prevails. We have also invited both parties on the best ways to resolve this matter before it escalates”.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Union of Traders in Ghana, Chief Chukwuemeka Nnaji, has expressed frustration over the entire incident.
Retail traders in the Ashanti Regional capital and even in Accra have accused foreigners, Nigerians especially, of engaging in retail trade, contrary to Section 27 of GIPC Act 865 which prohibits non-Ghanaians from engaging in retail trade in the jurisdiction.
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“Foreigners, even Nigerians are aware of the ECOWAS treaty on trade and we think if there is any problem we can sit and talk than engage in such an action,” he said.
Last month, about 17 shops were locked up at the same location as the police intervening once again.
In no time, the closed shops were re-opened and calm was restored.
However, this time around the closed shops remained closed as at the time the police authorities had left the scene.
In all the foregoing, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has accused the police of unfair treatment its members and failing to enforce the law.
Myjoyonline