The Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper has condemned the closure of foreign-owned retail shops in Kumasi by local traders.

Kweku Baako said going rogue is not a just way the traders can get their concerns regarding foreigners breaking the law by engaging in retail trade addressed.

“We cannot sit here and commend them [Nigerians] for those acts of lawlessness,” he told Evans Mensah on Joy FM/MultiTV’s Newsfile on Saturday.

Rather, the veteran journalist wants the traders to go to court to enforce the law if they feel government is reluctant in enforcing it.

Nigerian traders close Suame shops as locals resurrect retail feud

Non-Ghanaian traders in the Suame Market have come under periodic attacks from their Ghanaian counterparts for engaging in retail trade, contrary to Section 27 of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 865.

The Act states that retail trade is an exclusive reserve of Ghanaians.

Subsequent governments have, however, been reluctant in enforcing the law due to protocols related to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The ECOWAS charter allows free trade among member countries.

Although the current government came close to stopping foreigners from engaging in retail trade in 2018, the Trade and Industry ministry suspended the deadline it gave.

This angered the local traders with Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) describing it as a setback to what they have been fighting for.

Last week, many non-Ghanaian traders especially Nigerians in Kumasi had to close their own shops and seek security protection after the local traders moved to enforce the law. 

Nigerian traders packed out of their shops after attacks from Ghanaian traders

This act, maverick Kweku Baako, believes says is no means of solving the issue.

He said Ghana and Nigeria should sign a bilateral agreement that allows their nationals to engage in economic activities in the respective countries.

Other panellists on the show including Justice Srem Sai supported his argument saying the GIPC law cannot survive in the global business space. 

The GIMPA law lecturer said the Act should give way to the tenets of free trade.