The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has announced plans to begin an enforcement exercise on Monday, September 7, 2025, to ensure strict compliance with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865).

In a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Mr. Takyi Addo, the Association said the exercise will specifically target violations of Section 27 (1) of the Act, which prohibits non-citizens or enterprises not wholly owned by Ghanaians from engaging in retail trading, hawking, or selling goods in stalls or markets.

The Association expressed concern that despite the clarity of the law, many foreigners continue to dominate petty trading in commercial hubs, including Abossey Okai.

 According to the group, this practice has weakened the foundation of local entrepreneurship and negatively impacted the livelihoods of its members.

“Successive governments have failed to ensure full enforcement of this Act, resulting in a persistent drain on the businesses of Ghanaian traders.

The time has come to uphold the law and protect local enterprise from unlawful competition,” the statement read.

The Association stressed that it is not against foreign investment in Ghana, acknowledging that no country can develop without external contributions.

However, it insisted that all investments must respect the laws regulating trade and commerce in the country.

The Association has therefore called on government agencies and other stakeholders to support the enforcement exercise, which it says is aimed at preserving the integrity of Ghanaian trade and securing the future of indigenous businesses