Kwame Asuah Takyi, Comptroller-General GIS
Personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Revenue Authority yesterday undertook an exercise at Circle’s Tiptoe Lane during which shops owned by foreigners were inspected for permits and related documentation.
As a result of the exercise, some shops were shut down, with their owners left in a state of confusion not knowing what to do next.
An official of the GIS confirmed to DAILY GUIDE thus “personnel from our enforcement unit undertook a joint exercise with officers from the Ghana Revenue Authority to flush out unauthorized foreigners in the retail trade.”
There has been a raging duel between members of the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) and the Trade Ministry over the presence of mostly persons from ECOWAS countries and in some instances Chinese nationals in local retailing.
Earlier, a meeting was held between representatives of GUTA and the Trade Ministry over the issue, but one of the members described the outcome of the meeting as inconclusive.
It is a difficult subject and the Ghanaian authorities are being careful to avoid starting a diplomatic spat with their ECOWAS neighbours. In the 1980s, when Nigeria sent Ghanaians packing from their country the latter imposed the deposit of a certain amount of convertible currency before being allowed entry into Ghana. The measure was in place for some time until the authorities of both countries withdrew the worrying measures.
ECOWAS allows for a three-month stay in each others’ countries but the engagement in retailing trade in Ghana is not allowed by law. This is what local retailers want to be enforced.
Some of the traders claim that competing with these foreigners, especially the Chinese, is rather difficult considering the capital at their disposal.
They maintain that the law must be enforced so that only Ghanaians would be allowed in the retail business.
The consistency of the Ghana Immigration Service in enforcing the relevant law is yet to be seen.
By A.R. Gomda