Some members of the Suame Spare Parts Dealers Association have locked up shops belonging to Nigerian retailers at the Suame Magazine in Kumasi.

The group went round the Suame Magazine trader’s enclave asking the Nigerian traders to vacate their shops.

This follows a protest by members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) who closed their shops in Kumasi to register their displeasure over the influx of foreigners into retail trade in the country.

The Suame Magazine, located in Kumasi is recognized as the largest industrialized area with many workshops for metal engineering and vehicle repairs in Ghana, employing about 200,000 workers.

It is also recognized as the largest artisan engineering center in Sub-Saharan Africa.

By law, the sale of goods and provision of services in the market, petty trading, hawking, taxi services, operation of beauty salons and barbering shops are the sole preserve of Ghanaians therefore, non-Ghanaians or non-citizens cannot operate in that market.

A Nigerian retailer whose shop was locked up said a group of people stormed his shop and asked his workers to “go out go out we want to lock up the place”.

He said he had no choice but to allow them considering their number.

Contrary to reports by members of the Association that they were doing business illegally the Nigerian said, he was duly registered and has documents to support his business.

He however pleaded with members of the association to give him some time to relocate if they insist that he leaves.