Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers give foreign retailers September 1 ultimatum

The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has warned foreign shop owners to comply with retail business regulations by September 1 or face the closure of their shops.

The Association says the ultimatum is in direct response to the government’s failure to enforce the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act (Act 865), which bars foreigners from engaging in retail business. Leaders argue that without action, foreign nationals—especially Nigerians—will continue to dominate the local spare parts retail market.

Speaking at the Association’s annual general meeting, President Henry Okyere Jr. explained that the September 1 deadline is meant to compel compliance and safeguard the livelihoods of Ghanaian retailers. He stressed that members bear high costs such as rent, store charges, and import duties, yet must unfairly compete with foreigners who disregard the law.

The Association insists that the move is long overdue, pointing out that Ghanaian retailers are increasingly being pushed out of business in Abossey Okai. “This is about survival and fairness,” Mr. Okyere said, adding that closing non-compliant foreign shops was the only way left to restore balance in the retail space.

General Secretary Mrs. Gifty Fianu echoed these concerns, warning that failure to act would eventually see foreigners take complete control of the spare parts trade in Abossey Okai. She urged government agencies to strictly enforce Act 865, which she emphasized is enshrined in the constitution to protect local businesses.

Both leaders reiterated that the Association is not against foreigners doing business in Ghana but demanded strict adherence to the law. They insisted that September 1 remains a firm deadline and failure to comply would leave them with no option but to lock up offending shops.

The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association’s ultimatum is rooted in Section 27 of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865), which expressly prohibits foreigners from engaging in retail trade, hawking, and petty trading. Despite this clear restriction, enforcement has been weak.