The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), have expressed their optimism over President, Nana Akufo-Addo’s determination to resolve challenges and trade related issues.
Congratulating the President on his latest appointment as the ECOWAS Chair, the group believes pertinent issues will be addressed among members of the Community.
“We are confident that as a leader of ECOWAS and also the host of the secretariat of the AfCFTA, he would use his good offices to ensure that the rules of engagements in these protocols are strictly applied in solving all trade-related matters”.
In a statement signed by the President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng, it further stated “given his wealth of experience, knowledge and exemplary leadership, coupled with his full awareness of the enormity of the challenges facing the Community; as he rightly mentioned five immediate challenges that needs to be addressed, we have no doubt that with determination and hard work; he would excel in performance of his duty”.
GUTA demand inclusion of trade unions in Ghana-Nigeria talks
The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association, GUTA, on September 4 called for inclusion in deliberations seeking to improve trade relations between Ghana and Nigeria.
The Association revealed that the discussions will be a nonstarter if it failed to include the leading trade organizations in the two countries.
Speaking in an interview, President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng, said the final recommendations should not leave Ghanaian traders worse off.
“It should include the business community. Laws are made for the well-being of the citizenry. So, if even you are going to engage in a friendly act, the citizens should agree with that act. They must also understand the act too. Whatever it is, if you engage the citizens of the country, they will appreciate it as it inures to their benefit”.
Mr. Obeng further stressed on the need for relevant stakeholders to call to order members of the Nigerian Union of Traders Association in Ghana.
“What the Nigerians did was very serious. It nearly brought a huge misunderstanding between the two nations. They have to be cautioned lest they cause mayhem in the country. They don’t have good intentions for the country”.
Trade impasse between Ghana and Nigeria
Earlier last year, after Nigeria closed its frontiers to stop the smuggling of products from neighboring West African states into the country, the Ghana Union of Traders, GUTA, also asked authorities to strictly enforce Ghana’s laws banning foreigners from engaging in retail trade.
They attributed the collapse of the businesses of some of their members to the invasion of foreigners especially Nigerians, in the retail sub-sector.
According to them, the activities of the foreigners breach the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre’s Act (Act 865).
Per Section 27 of the GIPC Act 865, “A person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by a citizen, shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place”.
