The diaspora Igbo King in Ghana HRM Eze, Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, has once more appealed to the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) to be merciful towards the Nigerian traders in Ghana.
Though the trade laws of Ghana prohibit foreigners from engaging in retailing without appropriate authorization, Members of GUTA have expressed worry over the increasing number of Nigerian traders doing illegal retailing business across the cities and towns in Ghana.
There have been occasions that the aggrieved Ghanaian traders have forcefully locked up the shops of such Nigerians because they think the Ghanaian authorities and institutions are not protecting the rights of indigenous traders.
In an interview with Blakk Rasta on the 3FM Urban Blend Show on Friday 6 October, 2023, Eze Dr. Chukwudi stated that about 95 % of the Nigerian traders in Ghana are Igbo and as their leader, he trys as much as possible to let them know and adhere to the laws of Ghana.
However, some of his people are hustlers operating their small shops just to earn something to feed themselves, families and foot their bills.
“If you close their shops for just three days, there will be hunger in their homes. We look at all these and I appeal to GUTA to temper justice with mercy” Eze Dr. Chukwudi pleaded.
He further admonished that though the trade Ghanaian trade laws forbid foreigners from doing retailing, a special consideration could be made for ECOWAS citizens.
“We Nigerians and Ghanaians are the same people apart from the fact that the ‘Oyibo’ has divided us with boarders. Let us know we are all black African brothers and love each other” Eze Dr. Chukwudi called for a peaceful coexistence and tolerance.
By Samuel Afriyie Owusu|3news.com|Ghana