The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Ashanti Region has threatened to compel foreign nationals to close their shops if the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry fails to reach what it calls a “fair and firm” agreement on retail trade regulations.

GUTA expressed concern that the growing presence of foreign traders in local retail markets is gradually displacing Ghanaian operators and weakening indigenous businesses.

Speaking to Citi News, Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman of GUTA, Nana Nyame, said the increasing dominance of foreign nationals—particularly Nigerians and Chinese—contravenes existing trade laws that reserve certain retail activities for Ghanaians.

“We have not seen enough commitment from successive governments to support local traders. In many markets, Nigerians and Chinese nationals are dominating the space. They don’t pay their taxes, and in some cases, one individual can own as many as six shops, far more than many Ghanaian traders can afford,” he said.

Nana Nyame further noted that GUTA recently met with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), which proposed allowing some foreign-owned shops to remain open. The association, however, rejected the proposal, insisting on full compliance with regulations.

Meanwhile, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has proposed that foreign-owned retail shops allocate at least 40% of their shelf space to locally manufactured products.

The Ashanti Regional Manager of AGI, Thompson Appam Attebila, argued that if foreign nationals are permitted to engage in retail—which is traditionally reserved for Ghanaians—they should contribute to promoting domestic goods.

“If we are going to allow them to do retailing, then they should sell part of what is produced in Ghana. Allocating, for example, 40% of their shelf space to made-in-Ghana products will give local producers a fair advantage,” he said.