The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has issued a stern warning of nationwide protests if the government does not address the persistent involvement of foreigners in Ghana’s retail sector, which is reserved exclusively for Ghanaians under Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865).
This law prohibits non-citizens and foreign-owned enterprises from engaging in retail trade, petty trading, hawking, or selling goods in markets and stalls.
Despite this, foreign nationals, particularly in urban hubs like Accra and Kumasi, continue to operate, undercutting local businesses, especially mobile phone dealers and shop owners, through competitive pricing and alleged tax evasion.
GUTA’s Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Nana Kwabena Peprah, speaking to Citi Business News on July 21, 2025, expressed frustration over the government’s silence following a recent protest at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the lack of dialogue on enforcement.
He warned that growing agitation among traders across regions could lead to widespread demonstrations if regulatory bodies fail to enforce the GIPC Act.
The issue, exacerbated by a 2023 clash in Koforidua where GUTA locked over 40 foreign-owned shops, reflects ongoing tensions, particularly with Nigerian traders, despite ECOWAS free trade protocols.
GUTA insists that lax enforcement threatens local businesses and could destabilize Ghana’s commercial landscape if unresolved.
