Traders at Abossey Okai have launched a self-enforcement drive to compel compliance with Ghana’s investment laws, targeting foreign nationals engaged in petty trading.
The action, spearheaded by the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, is said to be grounded in the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865). According to Section 27(1) of the Act, retail trading, including hawking and selling goods in market stalls, is reserved exclusively for Ghanaian citizens.
In a statement signed by the Association’s Director of Communications, Mr. Takyi Addo, the group said the clampdown was long overdue.
“For years, successive governments have failed to enforce this law, and Ghanaian traders have paid the price. It’s time to protect local enterprise and restore fairness in the market,” the statement noted.
The Association emphasized that while it welcomes foreign investment, investors must operate within the legal framework of the country.
It warned that allowing foreigners to dominate the retail space undermines Ghanaian businesses and exposes them to unfair competition.
The group also raised concern about ongoing discussions around reforms to foreign direct investment rules, warning that blanket policy changes that relax restrictions could “spell doom for local businesses.”
Despite repeated notices to foreign traders operating in hubs like Abossey Okai, compliance with the law has remained low, the statement said. The association insisted that strict enforcement is the only way to safeguard livelihoods and ensure a level playing field for Ghanaian traders.
