The President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Mr. David Amoateng, has clarified that traders are not calling for foreigners to be removed from Ghana but rather for the strict enforcement of existing laws that bar non-citizens from engaging in petty trading.

Speaking on UTV’s late-night programme on Friday, September 5, 2025, Mr. Amoateng emphasised that traders appreciate the contribution of foreigners to Ghana’s economy.

“We are not against foreigners coming to Ghana to invest. No country can develop without their contribution. All we are asking is that the laws governing trade be respected,” he stated.

He cited the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act 2013, Act 865, Section 27 (1), which explicitly states: “A person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading or hawking or selling of goods in a stall at any place.”

Despite this clear provision, Mr. Amoateng noted that foreigners continue to dominate petty trading in areas such as Abossey Okai, Makola, and Circle, among others, across the country.

He stressed that notices have repeatedly been issued for non-Ghanaians engaged in retail trading to desist from the practice, but compliance remains low due to what he described as a lack of strict enforcement.

“All persons engaged in such practices are therefore advised to stop to avoid legal action being taken against them. Unfortunately, many foreigners are still not listening because the law is not being enforced,” he said.

Mr. Amoateng called on government agencies to act decisively, stressing that enforcement of the law would protect local traders and bring fairness to the trading environment.