We’ll not sack anyone – GUTA

President of Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) Dr. Joseph Obeng has announced that, traders from outside Ghana will not be asked to leave the country as alleged.

He cautioned that such news should stop circulating in order to put an end to the unnecessary panic created in the country.

According to Dr. Obeng, there is an investment law that has been amended to help regulate how trading works in a country, therefore all countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have this law governing them.

He added that the ECOWAS protocol indicates that, the countries that consist of ECOWAS should trade amongst themselves to ensure effective communication.

“The ECOWAS protocol states that members of ECOWAS should trade amongst themselves. It’s even helpful to all of us. No one has said they are sacking foreigners, people are just making unnecessary claims to create fear and panic, which is not right. Foreigners who bring their goods into the country will sell their goods as and when they want to. We just want to ensure the smooth running of business amongst ourselves, we’ve not even considered sacking anyone like how years ago we sacked Nigerians to their country as they did same to Ghanaians over there. What the protocol really means is that, after foreign traders have come to do business in the country, they should return to their countries after ninety days. But if they want to stay here and stay forever to work with the people of Ghana, the ECOWAS protocol itself states that, the foreigners should take into consideration the country’s investment laws. The investment laws in Ghana also state that, if a foreigner wants to stay here and do business, they will have to invest $1million. And also employ 20 Ghanaian citizens, get a resident and work permit. That’s the truth about what we are saying.” He said.

Dr. Obeng also mentioned that, these laws are obligatory in various countries apart from Ghana. He made reference to Nigeria where he said that, Ghanaians over there have been through several processes where they will have to register their businesses before they can freely operate. And that there is no way they operate there freely like Nigerians do here.

He stated that, there are almost 4.6 million Nigerians in Ghana at the moment that have come to stay, but it is however possible that not even close to half of them have been through the necessary procedures. And that he will urge them and all foreign traders to go through the necessary procedures so that they can operate without any interference.