Ghanaian traders close shops owned by ‘foreigners’ at Opera Square again

Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) on Monday stormed the Opera Square in Accra in a bid to enforce the law that prevents foreigners from engaging in retail business in the country.

The members have argued the reluctance of the law enforcement agencies to come up with a workable solution to this ‘rift’ has forced them to take the law into their own hands.

Information gathered indicates, that as of midday, a total of fifty-two (52) shops have been locked up in Opera Square.

Reports gathered shows the GUTA leadership has a special lock with which they are using to embark on this exercise.

Most of the locked-up shops are believed to be that of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, a similar exercise happened last week at Suame Magazine in Kumasi.

An industrial hub in Kumasi, which had shops belonging to Nigerians and other foreigners locked up.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of GUTA, Mr. Anthony Oppong, in an interview said the protest was not directed towards only Nigerians, but all foreigners who are not following the Ghanaian regulations on trade.

According to Oppong, the issues at stake are ‘Bread and Butter, and that they will not sit aloof to lose their resources before they call the authorities into action.

Asked if they are not trying to retaliate the Nigerian government over their border closure, he responded that the border closure had affected them inadvertently, but their protest had nothing to do with the closure.

Nigeria has however extended the period for closure of its frontiers to other countries till January 31, 2020.

The extension is said to be a result of the ‘overwhelming success’ the closure has chalked in the face of the country’s economy and security.

A memo dated November 1, 2019, and addressed to the Sector Coordinators of the Joint Border Operation Drill announced that;

“I am directed to inform you that it is observed that despite the overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the security and economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic objectives are yet to be achieved. Against this background, Mr. President has approved an extension of the exercise to January 31, 2020.”