We can’t trade under AfCFTA and still be hostile to other African countries – TAGG tells Gov’t
The Traders Advocacy Group of Ghana (TAGG) has told government that Ghana cannot trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and still be hostile towards citizens of other African countries that ply their trade in the country.
The Group in a statement remarked that the era of fighting other nationals on trade restrictions ‘is a thing of the past’ and should rather create an enabling economic environment, provide financial support and reduced interest rates on borrowings to make Ghanaian traders more competitive against foreign nationals.
“AfCFTA has come to stay and the earlier the government collaborate with traders [foreign traders] to promote our local traders the better it will be for all of us,” stated TAGG.
The assertion by TAGG follows calls by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) for the resumption of closure of retail shops belonging to foreign nationals particularly Nigerians.
Read: Expert rates Ghana’s AfCFTA preparedness at 50%
This is after the Nigerian Union of Traders Association in Ghana’s (NUTAG) rejected the special dispensations granted them by the Government of Ghana on retail trading in the country after series of diplomatic efforts by both governments.
“This inappropriate attitude of the Nigerian traders in Ghana is not only an insult but also a well-orchestrated ploy to frustrate the committee, state, and people of Ghana. Therefore, we of the Ghana Union of the Traders’ Associations wish to appeal to the Committee on Foreign Retail Trade to, as a matter of urgency resume its operations without any delays as the behaviour of the Nigerian traders has seriously provoked Ghanaian traders and reigniting agitations in the markets,” stated GUTA.
Read details of press release by TAGG:
15 SEP 21 Press by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
15 SEP 21 Press 2 by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
