MP Reiterates ECOWAS Citizens’ Rights to Establish Businesses in Ghana
H
on. Mahama Ayariga (Ghana) had re-echoed the letter and spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol providing for the rights of citizens to establish business enterprises in any ECOWAS Member States, including the Republic of Ghana. This was in response to queries by Members of Parliament over the trade dispute with other ECOWAS nationals residing in Ghana,
Hon. Ayariga explained that the agitation of Ghanaian traders was over the none enforcement by Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC), of the constitutional provisions which allow for Ghanaians only, to engage in trade at that retail level. In his recollection, he stated that, “A directive by the Ministry of Trade and Industry for all foreigners to stop retail trade by July 27, created tension in
most major markets in the country, with foreign traders appealing to the government to allow them trade in the spirit of ECOWAS. “Following this, the government engaged the leadership of foreign traders to submit documents regarding their immigration status, work permits and business registration to an interministerial task force”, he continued. Following spates of demonstrations and subsequent diplomatic shuttles, government was able to ensure that tensions abated and an impasse, averted. An appeal for calm was heeded to and resumption of business as usual has taken root in the country”, he further explained. He however, appealed to his colleagueparl.ecowas.int
Members of Parliament that the issue was being resolved. “Once you are an ECOWAS citizen and you move into Ghana, you also have the right to establish and the right to establish includes being able to set up your enterprise and carry out business in Ghana,” he said. He explained that although any country could opt out of the Protocol on Rights of Establishment, the Ghanaian Government understood that such position could result in reciprocal action against Ghana citizens in other ECOWAS countries. For this reason, he said that the government of Ghana was involved in diplomatic efforts to address the issue to ensure that all West Africans living in Ghana are able to participate in the economic activities of the Country. He assured that the matter would be resolved, stressing that ECOWAS Citizens from other countries would only be vulnerable in Ghana if the government opts out of the Protocol.