The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) says it would extend the needed support to remove foreigners operating in retail markets.

Trade Minister, Ekow Spio-Garbrah has disclosed to Joy Business it would from December start ejecting foreigners who are trading in retail markets illegally. There have been concerns that GIPC might plead with government not to go ahead with this action.

The concerns were grounded on the action’s implications for investment promotion in Ghana.

But Chief Executive of the Center, Mawuena Trebah tells Joy Business the laws of the land must be respected.

“I think the honourable Minister of Trade, and the Ministry of Trade are very focused on addressing some of the dissonance that has occurred and the discontent that has occurred in respect of retail trade.

“And I think that as an investment promotion centre we must and we will continue to support every effort [of the ministry].”

Meanwhile, Chief Justice, Mrs. Justice Georgina Wood has said foreigners illegally engaging in retail business would soon be hauled before some special law courts. 

The courts will possibly sit on Saturdays to try offenders of the law, she said.

“We are studying the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act (ACT 865) and will soon dedicate a court to prosecute non-Ghanaians found engaging in retail trade in our markets as well as Ghanaians who may be violating the provisions of the law by conniving with such foreigners,” she noted.