The Trade Ministry has assured Ghanaian retailers it will deal with foreigners who have invaded space meant for local traders.

Deputy Trade Minister, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah's concerns follow complaints by members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) that little is being done by government to address their plight.

The Association has been kicking against Chinese and Nigerian retailers in the country whom it says are contravening the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)’s directive that bars foreign participation in lower levels of the retail chain.

Current investment laws bar foreigners from trading in retail markets unless they bring about $1 million and employ about 20 Ghanaians.

President of the Associations, Dr. Barimah Ofori Ameyaw II, in an interview last year reiterated that the need for foreigners to be driven away from the retail market is non-negotiable.

“For many weeks we have been here lamenting about foreigners invading the retail sector and economy, while government looks aloof as though they have seen nothing.

"The GIPC and the Trades Ministry who are supposed to regulate and ensure that foreigners do not invade the retail sector are also doing nothing about the situation.“

Some members of GUTA who were on strike last year due the same issue

Dr Ofori Ameyaw II promised to do all within their power to rid the market of the foreign traders.

In reaction, the Deputy Trade Minister said the ministry is very much aware of the plight of Ghanaian traders and is following due process to regulate the issue.  

"We will meet with their respective embassies to make them understand that what their citizens are engaged in is not allowed and they have to discuss that with them," he told JOYBUSINESS after a meeting with the Advertising Association of Ghana on Thursday.

He said they have observed that the traders are not abiding by the laws of retail but they are giving the embassies some time to talk to their citizens before they take action.

"If it comes to a time when we see that they are not acting then we will take charge and move it from there," he said.

Mr Ahenkorah pleaded with Ghanaians in the retail business facing difficulty due to the activities of foreigners to exercise restraint.

"Many are those who have approached me that they want to take action, I want them to calm down as the Ministry is in charge of the situation.

"We have set calendar dates to roll out our plans in dealing with the situation," he promised.