A task force to safeguard the Ghanaian market from invasion by foreigners in retail business would soon be in the Brong Ahafo Region to ensure enforcement of the Ghana Instrument Protection Council (GPMC) Law.
Dr John–Hawkins Asiedu, an Economist and Evaluation Consultant at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) announced on Wednesday at a day's regional outreach programme organised by the Ministry in Sunyani.
He said the task force working for sanity to prevail in the Ghanaian market was formed by the Ministry, following complaints by local traders against foreigners in the retailing business in the country.
The programme attended by more than 200 people comprising importers, exporters farmers , tertiary students , agro-processors, representatives of trade associations and the general public aimed at promoting a vibrant trade and industry sector.
It was also designed to foster the growth and development of a strong economy to give opportunity for job creation, revenue generation and improved sustainable livelihoods.
Dr Asiedu stated that the GMPC Act 478 stipulated that retail trading in Ghana was preserved for only Ghanaians, adding that any foreigner who wanted to engage in such activities had to pay US0,000, register with all institutions concerned in addition to employing about 10 Ghanaians.
He said foreigners were supposed to stay in the country for only 90 days and return to their countries of origin but those who wanted to live and work must obtain work permit to regularize their stay, affirming that majority of foreigners were illegally trading in the country because they had not gone through the process.
Ms Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, in a speech read for her stated that the Ministry was using the occasion to increase awareness and knowledge of stakeholders about its activities.
She said it was also to canvas support and commitment for the Ministry and to forge a strong bond and good working relationship to attain collective vision of goals detailed in the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda.
Ms Tetteh indicated stakeholders would be educated on their specific roles in the effective implementation of the country's trade and industrial policy to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation to enhance inter ministerial and public-private sector collaboration and coordination.
Mr Kwabena Acheampong of the Ghana Standard Authority advised the general public to be wary of products sold on promotional prices and conditions since such products usually had short term period to expire.
Mr Acheampong stated that Consumer Protection Law would soon be promulgated to check the influx of shoddy products into the Ghanaian market.