By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association says it will, from Monday, begin to enforce the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865), which reserves petty trading and certain businesses for local people, according to a statement on Sunday.
The statement, signed by Takyi Addo, Director of Communications for the Association, observed that despite the provision contained in the Act, certain foreigners in the country continue to flout the regulation.
The Association noted the practice undermines the livelihood of the people and affects entrepreneurship among Ghanaians.
“The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association wishes to inform the general public and all stakeholders that, beginning Monday, September 7, 2025, it will embark on an exercise to act on the strict compliance with the provisions of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865), specifically Section 27 (1),” read the statement.
Under the country’s GIPC Act 2013 (Act 865), “A person who is not a citizen or an enterprise that is not wholly owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in the sale of goods or provision of services in a market, petty trading, hawking, or selling of goods in a stall at any place.”
The group observed that it is not against foreign investment in the country but wants expats to obey Ghanaian laws.
“We wish to emphasize that our Association is not against foreign investment in Ghana. Indeed, no country can develop without the valuable contributions of foreign partners. However, such investment must respect the laws of our land, particularly those regulating trade and commerce,” it added.
The Association urged all relevant stakeholders to ensure the exercise became a success. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
Find the statement by the Abossey Spare Parts Dealers Association below;
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
ABOSSEY OKAI SPARE PARTS DEALERS ASSOCIATION TO ACT ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE GIPC ACT, 2013 (ACT 865)
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association wishes to inform the general public and all stakeholders that, beginning Monday, September 7, 2025, it will embark on an exercise to act on the strict compliance with the provisions of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865), specifically Section 27 (1).
The Act explicitly provides that:
“A person who is not a citizen or an enterprise which is not wholly owned by a citizen shall not invest or participate in 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.”
Despite this clear legal provision, foreigners continue to engage in petty trading in key business hubs such as Abossey Okai.
This practice undermines the livelihoods of our members and weakens the foundations of local entrepreneurship.
Successive governments have failed to ensure full enforcement of this Act, resulting in a persistent drain on the businesses of Ghanaian traders.
The Association believes that the time has come to uphold the law and protect local enterprise from unlawful competition.
We wish to emphasize that our Association is not against foreign investment in Ghana. Indeed, no country can develop without the valuable contributions of foreign partners. However, such investment must respect the laws of our land, particularly those regulating trade and commerce.
We therefore call on all stakeholders, including the relevant state institutions, to support this exercise as we work to preserve the integrity of Ghanaian trade, ensure compliance with Act 865, and secure the future of indigenous businesses.
SIGNED
Takyi Addo,
Director of Communications
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