Foreigner owners of shops in the Greater Accra Region which have been locked-up shops have been asked to avail themselves and justify why their shops should be opened.

This comes after a committee was set up to sanitise the Ghanaian retail market following agitation and closure of the shops in December last year.

The Committee started implementing its recommendations at the Tip-toe Lane in Accra on Wednesday.

In December 2019 when the shops were put under lock and key, owners were barred from opening the controversial businesses at least not until Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has reversed its decision.

Members of the task force have been spotted unlocking special locks inscribed, “GUTA” that was earlier fixed to shops suspected to be owned by foreigners.

Speaking to JoyNews at Circle Alajo station, a member of the Committee, Maxwell Apenkro said the exercise is "aimed at sanitising the retail market more especially within Circle"

He added that the three-day operation is a follow-up to what started in December when GUTA carried out a threat by locking down some shops in the central business district.

Per the GIPC law, foreigners are not allowed to operate within certain quarters of the retail space in Ghana, a law which has over the years being breached with impunity by foreigners.