Nigerian Shops Remain Closed Despite Meeting With President – GUTA
The Ghana Union of Traders Association, (GUTA) says Nigerian shops remain locked despite their meeting with the President.
According to them, though they have had a fruitful discussion with the President, they will not hesitate to open those shops when they all come to a logical conclusion about the trading activities of their foreign counterparts.
Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Ade Akye Abia’ program, President of the Association, Dr. Joseph Obeng explained that members of the association have reached their limit with round table discussions with authorities that have been fruitless.
However, he said they are happy the President has set up a joint committee to help bring the matter to its finality and logical conclusion.
He added that he is happy the President has understood their concerns and is grieving with them.
“Though we have accepted and taken in good faith what the President has said, we will not allow our members to open the shops of foreigners until we have all agreed that they follow the law and ensure that foreigners go back to their retail business,” he said.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has cautioned local retailers against using force to evict their foreign counterparts from their shops.
Addressing the traders on a tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Akufo-Addo said although the law is on the side of the local retailers, he cautioned that "people cannot take the law into their own hands and enforce the law."
“If we do it that way the country would not be a good place to live in, we have to remember that there are many Ghanaians outside the country especially in Nigeria, so I don’t want the government to rush in taking decisions that would also affect them negatively,” he said in Twi.
He assured the traders’ a committee has been put in place to find a lasting solution to the age-old situation.
“Please give way for the Trades Minister, Alan Kyerematen and his committee to work. I believe if they are giving the chance to work well, all of Ghana Union of Traders Association’s (GUTA) problems would come to an end,” Akufo-Addo assured.
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