The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has appealed to the Committee on Foreign Retail Trade, to as a matter of urgency resume operations to close down shops of undocumented foreign retailers.

GUTA’s resolution follows a move by the Nigerian Union of Traders Association in Ghana (NUTAG) to reject the special dispensation granted them by the Government of Ghana despite a series of diplomatic efforts by both Ghana and Nigeria governments.

“This inappropriate attitude of the Nigerian traders in Ghana is not only an insult but also a well-orchestrated ploy to frustrate the committee, state, and people of Ghana. Therefore, we of the Ghana Union of the Traders’ Associations wish to appeal to the Committee on Foreign Retail Trade to, as a matter of urgency resume its operations without any delays as the behaviour of the Nigerian traders has seriously provoked Ghanaian traders and reigniting agitations in the markets,” GUTA expressed in a statement.

So far, Chief Nkem Tony Onyeagolu, former President for All Nigerians Community- Ashanti Region, has appealed to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo to issue a directive for the re-opening of shops owned by Nigerian traders.

According to him, since the closure of their retail shops by local authorities, things have gotten worse for Igbos trading in Ghana.
He explained that the majority of Igbo traders have been victimized by the move and are hard pressed financially, highly indebted and have not been able to pay off loans they took from financial institutions to run their business.

The closure of these shops was done by the Trade Ministry with support from GUTA.