Accra — The agitation over the involvement of non-Ghanaians in retail trade has been resurfaced as traders yesterday protested against the non-implementation of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council law. The law bars non-Ghanaians from engaging in retail trade and reserves retail business for her citizens.

In May, the ministry of trade and industry constituted a task force to enforce the law, in a bid to expel foreigners from designated market places in Greater Accra Region. This action culminated in the expulsion of over 100 traders, mainly Asians, from some designated markets. The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) on Wednesday instructed its members to close shops in all markets in Accra yesterday.

GUTA is protesting delays in the ejection of foreigners from the retail market since the government ultimatum expired on the October 16. Hundreds of traders thronged the streets adjourning major markets in Accra to register their displeasure over the non-expulsion of foreigners from the markets. GUTA's President George Ofori told a news conference earlier today that Ghanaian traders will enforce the country's laws if government failed to do so.