The Ashanti Regional Police command has summoned the leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and Nigerian spare part dealers in Suame following alleged attacks on illegal foreign retailers.

This was after some 500  foreign spare parts dealers at Suame Magazine yesterday besieged the Suame police station for protection.

The foreigners say their lives are in danger after unknown persons assaulted their members and kicked them out of business.

Luv News’ Nana Asenso Mensah reports that they have closed their shops as a result of incessant death threats.

Their leader, Chief Ikechukwu Obira said “this is not a matter of feeling threatened, let’s go to Magazine right now and you will see those boys moving around with weapons.

“We want the security agencies to come in. We are pleading with the commander if he can mobilise his men and lead us to go back and open our shops. That way we will feel protected else those boys will come back again.”

Recounting his experience, one of those allegedly beaten told the reporter he was getting onto his motorbike after closing his shop when some people pounced on him.

No one has been arrested in connection with the incident. 

This comes at the back of a directive for foreigners to evacuate the retail market which government later withdrew.

A last-minute decision by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoI) to rescind its directive to all foreigners in the domestic retail business to leave the local market before July 27 this year has been met with stiff resistance from GUTA.

The Ministry issued the directive on July 11, this year, in line with Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, which debars foreigners from participating in the local retail sector.

Following that directive, some groups mounted pressure on the ministry to rescind its decision, since the move could mar trade relations between Ghana and some West African countries in particular.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ghana Association of Garages has registered its displeasure over the behaviour of the local spare parts dealers. 

To forestall other incidents and in order to get to the bottom of the issue, the Regional Police headquarters has taken over investigations from the Suame Divisional Command.

Both GUTA and the foreign traders have been summoned to a meeting to be chaired by Regional Commander, DCOP Kwasi Mensah Duku