The Nigerian Union of Traders Association Ghana (NUTAG) has claimed some of their members have turned beggars in order to survive after their shops were locked by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
In a report by Citi News, the Secretary-General of NUTAG, Comrade Evaristus Nwankwo, said the locking up of shops has subjected members to severe economic hardship forcing some Nigerian traders to go back home.
In 2019, over 600 shops operated by foreigners were closed down for engaging in retail business exclusively reserved for Ghanaian traders. Majority of these locked up shops were owned by Nigerians.
The Nigerian traders have insisted that they are permitted to trade in the country by ECOWAS protocols and have made several appeals to stakeholders for amicable intervention.
Comrade Nwankwo said the Association is still appealing to the government to intervene and have their shops reopened.
“There are serious challenges and that is why we are pleading with the government. Most of our members have resorted to begging from some of us whose shops are still open. They come to ask for GH¢100, GH¢50.”
“In one of our meetings, we had to do a freewill donation to accommodate those who are at Circle. Some have children who are sick and need medication all the time. I know about five of them who have gone back to Nigeria. Is this good news for the Ghana government? I don’t think so. It is giving a negative image to this country,” he said.
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