Tensions at the Abossey Okai Spare Parts hub in Accra have reignited debate over Ghana’s retail trade laws, as local traders intensify calls for stricter enforcement against foreign nationals operating in the sector.
On Monday, September 8, 2025, a near-clash erupted when executives of the Spare Parts Dealers Association began an exercise to identify shops owned by foreigners. The association insists that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, which reserves retail trading for Ghanaians, is being persistently flouted.
Some foreign shop owners, anticipating enforcement action, had already shut down their outlets. Security personnel were deployed to maintain calm as tempers flared in the busy enclave.
The standoff prompted President John Dramani Mahama to weigh in, affirming that the retail sector remains legally reserved for citizens. “In most countries, you want to reserve a certain portion of the economy for the people,” the President noted at a media engagement on Wednesday, September 10.
While backing the law, President Mahama indicated that Parliament may review the framework, stressing that any changes would reflect the national interest.
Meanwhile, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) CEO Simon Madjie confirmed that a new bill under consideration seeks to tighten compliance by introducing administrative fines and establishing a national business register. These measures, he explained, would provide quicker enforcement tools compared to the current reliance on lengthy court processes.
The government has reiterated its dual commitment: keeping Ghana open to foreign investment while protecting sectors reserved for citizens. But for traders at Abossey Okai, the immediate demand remains clear—foreign retailers must leave the market space to safeguard local livelihoods.
