Foreign retailers in Ghana: Illegal under GIPC Act 1994, (Act 478) and Act 2013 (Act 865)
Many Ghanaians have espoused that the influx of foreign retailers in the market is a threat to indigenous business and that, the ramifications of such influx is a collapse of local businesses. This call by most Ghanaians is perceived to be a mere necessary evil but, I want to state unequivocally that it is a constitutional freedom for local retailers to remain uncompetitive with foreign traders in the area of retail. Under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 1994, (Act 478) and Act 2013 (Act 865), certain enterprises are reserved for Ghanaians and it is an offence for foreigners to participate in those specified enterprises. Section 27(1) of the GIPC Act 2013 (Act 865) states that “A person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by citizen shall not invest or participate in- a) 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; b) the operation of taxi or ca...