Taskforce to check foreign businesses in Ghana formed

Accra, 12 May, GNA -The Ministry of Trade has formed a taskforce to prevent foreigners from taking over businesses exclusivity meant for indigenous Ghanaians, Sector Minister Ms. Hannah Tetteh, has announced She expressed dissatisfaction about absolute violation of laws governing retail trade by foreign nationals in Ghana.

Ms. Tetteh said these when he visited Kantamanto, Zongo Lane and Royal Cinema, in the Business District of Accra that has a large concentration of foreign business entities, to verify reports that foreigners have taken over economic activities reserved for Ghanaians.

The Minister called on the Value Added Tax Service, Internal Revenue Service, and Customs Excise and Preventive Service to complement the work of the taskforce by regularly undertaking audit checks on import documents to avoid under-invoicing and evasion of customs duties. Ms. Tetteh said that the Ghana Police Service has agreed to support the Ministry's measure of protecting businesses reversed for Ghanaians by checking money laundering.

She gave the assurance that government would not clamp down on foreign businesses operators but rather prevent them from flouting the laws with impunity. She reminded them that they had no business in engaging in retail trading and occupying the market but that they should rather be in the big shops. Ms. Tetteh requested the foreign business operators to produce documents covering their transactions to the Ministry and warned that those who would fail to comply with the directive would face the full rigours of the law.

The NOKI Ltd, Hua Fen Shoes, Feng Shen International Co Ltd, Melton Ventures and Precious Enterprises were some of the business entities expected to comply with the order. The President of Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA), Mr. George Kwaku Ofori, and other executives took the Minister round the shops. Mr. Ofori called on government to check the influx of foreigners in retail business in the country. He pledged GUTA's support to the Ministry's efforts to clamp down on trade practices perpetuated by foreigners to the detriment of Ghanaians.