Abossey Okai dealers to enforce GIPC law on foreign traders

The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has announced it will begin enforcing provisions of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865), specifically targeting foreigners engaged in petty trading.

The exercise, set to start on Monday, September 8, 2025, is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with Section 27 (1) of the law.

The section prohibits non-citizens and foreign-owned enterprises from investing or participating in the sale of goods or services in markets, petty trading, hawking, or selling from stalls. Despite the law, the Association said foreign nationals continue to operate in areas such as Abossey Okai, undermining the livelihoods of local traders.

“This practice undermines the livelihoods of our members and weakens the foundations of local entrepreneurship,” the Association said in a statement. “Successive governments have failed to ensure full enforcement of this Act, resulting in a persistent drain on the businesses of Ghanaian traders.”

The Association stressed that it is not opposed to foreign investment but insisted that such ventures must operate within Ghana’s legal framework.

“We wish to emphasise that our Association is not against foreign investment in Ghana. Indeed, no country can develop without the valuable contributions of foreign partners. However, such investment must respect the laws of our land, particularly those regulating trade and commerce,” the statement noted.

Calling for collaboration, the Association urged relevant state institutions and stakeholders to back the exercise, which it described as a necessary step to protect indigenous businesses and maintain the integrity of local trade.