A near-confrontation erupted at the Abossey Okai Spare Parts enclave on Monday, September 8, 2025, as executives of the Spare Parts Dealers Association moved to enforce Ghana’s retail trade laws.
The exercise, which involved the identification of shops owned by foreigners, is part of efforts by the Association to address what it describes as persistent breaches of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act. The law reserves retail trading in Ghana for citizens, but local traders insist that foreign nationals continue to operate illegally in the sector.
Some shop owners, fearing clashes and possible enforcement, had already closed their outlets ahead of the exercise. Security personnel were stationed in the area to monitor developments as tensions remained high.
In a statement to the media, the General Secretary of the Association, Gifty Lovelock Naana Fianu, announced that the group has given foreign retailers operating within the enclave a three-day ultimatum to close down their shops.
She warned that if authorities fail to act, the Association will not hesitate to enforce Section 27(1) of the GIPC Act, 2013 (Act 865) through citizens’ arrest.
“The activities of these traders, which contravene Ghana’s investment laws, are distorting competition and threatening the survival of local businesses. We will not allow this illegality to continue,” she stressed.
The Spare Parts Dealers Association maintains that its actions are aimed at restoring fairness in the local retail sector and has urged the government to take urgent steps to enforce compliance with the GIPC Act.
Source: Citi Newsroom
