The Public Relations Officer of GUTA, Joseph Paddy argued that the budget did not include policies needed to prevent foreign traders from the retail industry.
The Union argued that the budget did not include policies needed to prevent foreign traders from the retail industry, which is one of their major challenges they face in the sector.
According to the Public Relations Officer of GUTA, Joseph Paddy they need government to demonstrate a strong will to clamp down on illegal traders as being done for Galamsey.
He told GNA that most of these foreigners operate under the mask of the ECOWAS and other international protocols on the free movement of goods and people, which was wrong, as they “fail to obey trade laws governing our state”.
“Some even hawk on our major streets while others pack their goods on trucks and sell them freely at our various market centres. Something that cannot be done in other countries,” he added.
He also added that some perpetrators of illegal mining after being chased out of the illegal sites have also joined the retail community and were trading in all kinds of products without any permit and authorisation.
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“Most of these people have not registered with GIPC. They just trade anyhow, which is worrying.”
“I remember the Ministry of Trade, GUTA and the GIPC formed a task force to combat this impunity, but it was just a nine-day wonder. We haven’t seen many changes,” he added.
He said most of these people also evade taxes, which do not help in the development of the country.