The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has issued a warning of nationwide demonstrations should the government fail to take decisive action against the increasing infiltration of foreigners into the domestic retail sector.

The Association argues that retail trading is explicitly reserved for Ghanaian citizens under national law and laments the growing disregard for this provision.

According to Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865), non-Ghanaians are prohibited from engaging in retail trade, hawking, petty trading, or operating in stalls and markets.

Yet, foreign nationals continue to visibly flout this restriction, especially in major trading centres, sparking mounting frustration among local traders.

Traders, particularly mobile phone dealers and shopkeepers, have expressed dismay over what they describe as weak enforcement of the law, allowing foreign operators to undercut prices and threaten the sustainability of Ghanaian businesses.

In an interview with Citi FM, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GUTA, Nana Kwabena Peprah, criticised the government’s inaction and warned of growing agitation among members.

“We’ve not had any response from the government after the protest at Circle, neither have we had any invitation from the government to dialogue on the issues. Due to the protest at Circle, we are getting feedback from all other sectors including the regions,” he stated.

“People are agitating and the government must immediately take action or else, GUTA members will begin demonstrations on those issues.”

The threat follows a recent protest at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra and comes amid renewed debate about the country’s retail trade policy and its enforcement mechanisms.

GUTA has cautioned that if regulatory authorities fail to rigorously implement the GIPC Act’s provisions, the consequence could be widespread unrest within Ghana’s commercial landscape.