The Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) on Wednesday allegedly closed down over 200 shops belonging to non-Ghanaians at Kumasi Adehyekan Market—an action the affected traders have described as unfair.
According to one of the traders, GUTA officials carry out such actions annually. They claimed that the officials are angry because they sell goods at lower prices, adding that the move is intended to make them sell less while Ghanaian traders at the market sell more.
Speaking to journalists, one of the affected traders said:
“Today, being 4th December, we received the sad news that our business counterparts are locking our shops. So we came to ask them what the problem was, and from all indications, we don’t see any reason why they should be going around locking shops in Kumasi.”
The trader added that those most affected are traders who sell phone accessories, primarily Nigerians.
The traders further appealed to the government of Ghana to intervene, emphasizing that they have refused to take the law into their own hands.
“We don’t want to have any issues like fighting or causing chaos in the country, so we’re appealing to the government to come and help us because this is very frustrating,” another trader said.
According to him, they do not owe GUTA anything, and the action is therefore unjustified and cruel. He added that the officials are acting in their own interests so they can sell off their Christmas goods while the affected traders’ goods remain unsold.
“Some of them have complained that we are selling cheaply, but the dollar is low and the market is supposed to be fair. That is their main aim,” he said.
The traders pleaded with the government of Ghana to step in and resolve the matter so that their businesses can continue, lamenting that the development will affect their livelihoods, especially during the Christmas season.
Our Reporter gathered that this is not the first time such an incident has happened; In November 2023, GUTA reportedly shut down over 38 retail shops owned by foreigners in Koforidua.
The primary victims, according to the report, were those dealing in mobile phones especially the Igbos from Nigeria.
GUTA was reportedly reacting to what it alleged as the government’s failure to fully enforce the Ghana Investment Promotion Act (Act 865), which prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail business in the country.
On September 8th, 2025, Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association threatened shutdowns of foreign‑owned retail shops giving a three-day ultimatum to the non-Ghanaians in the market to lock their shops.
The association also decried that the involvement of foreign traders in retail business violates Ghana’s investment laws, undermines fair competition, and poses a serious threat to the survival of local businesses.
