Ghanaian authorities lock Nigerian owned shops in Kumasi

Ghanaian authorities lock Nigerian owned shops in Kumasi

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) on Thursday, October 31 locked up shops owned by Nigerians in Kumasi, Ghana.

This is the second time such action is taken against Nigerian retailers in the district.

GUTA officials, however, justifies the action, saying it was based on the violation of the Ghanaian law. 

Ghanaian authorities lock Nigerian owned shops in Kumasi

According to them, foreign retailers violated section 27 of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 865.

The law stipulates that the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place must be reserved for only Ghanaians.

There are speculations that the move must have been as a result of the Nigerian government to close its land borders with neighbouring countries.

Ghanaian authorities lock Nigerian owned shops in Kumasi

Others say Ghanaians are afraid that Nigerians might overtake their business.

Some Nigerians have called on the Nigerian government to intervene in the situation.

Recall that President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo of Ghana on Tuesday, October 29 lamented over the border closure by the Nigerian government.

Akufo-Addo described the action of Nigeria as a big blow to regional integration in West Africa, adding that it could negatively affect the regional integration agenda.