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Calls on Akufo-Addo to reopen Nigerian shops unfortunate – GUTA

 

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has described as unfortunate calls on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reopen Nigerian retail shops that were closed down.

GUTA said its attention has been drawn to a press release by one Chief Nkem Tony Onyeagolu former President for All Nigerian Communities in Ashanti Region calling on President Nana Akufo-Addo to direct the reopening of locked-up Nigerian shops.

“We consider the statement as unfortunate, palpable falsehood and an insult to the president and the good people of the country,” a statement said.

GUTA said “We would therefore like to respond as follows; That the presidential committee which embarked on the locked up exercise enforced a parliamentary enacted laws of the land. That is GIPC Act 865, which does not allow foreigners in retail business and did not work capriciously.

“That the said committee did not target any particular nation. As the name goes, the committee is a public mandated one to ensure sanity and compliance among foreigners in the retail space. What Chief Nkem lost sight of is that Ghana is a sovereign state with laws and regulations to regulate the trading activities of the country despite our affiliation to some international bodies.

“Therefore telling the president to review the activities of the Committee on Foreigners in Retail Trade is considered an unnecessary interference in the affairs of the state by a foreign body.

“The allegations that their monies and documents are locked up in the shops is also false. The committee allows retrieval of such items when genuinely proven.

“Furthermore, what Chief Nkem failed to tell the whole world is that, even with the limited closures, they are still trampling on our laws with impunity by displaying their wares in front of the locked up shops. Others have resulted to the use of motor bikes and distribution vans to patronize their customers both in the urban and rural areas.”

The statement added that “This is going on to the detriment of our businesses. We therefore see the lamentations of our brothers and sisters as their usual intimidating and blackmailing rhetoric just to call attention to themselves and win an undeserved sympathy both at home and abroad.

“Concluding, we are by this release calling on the presidential Committee on Foreigners in Retail Trade to wake up from their slumber and embark on the promised second and subsequent phases of the exercise as soon as possible to avert the collapse of our business and a possible public outburst especially in this COVID period when most of our businesses are folding up.”

Source: 3 News

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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