Tensions are rising at Abossey Okai, Accra’s biggest spare parts hub, after local traders issued a one-week ultimatum for foreign nationals to vacate their shops or risk being forced out.
At a press conference on September 8, the Ghanaian spare parts dealers argued that retail trade is legally reserved for locals under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act. They accused foreigners of flouting the law and “taking over spaces meant for Ghanaians”.
But the ultimatum has drawn sharp reactions.Some nationals, including Nigerian traders in the enclave who have been operating in Ghana for years, insist they are being unfairly targeted. Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), who has been investigating the dispute, revealed that some Ghanaian dealers had previously failed to meet wholesale commitments to their Nigerian counterparts, sparking resentment.
“I was told some Ghanaian suppliers took money from Nigerians for bulk deals but failed to deliver. That’s why Nigerians turned to retailing directly. It’s not simply about disobeying the law,” VDM explained in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
One Nigerian trader also rejected claims that they were undercutting prices.
“We don’t sell cheap. Our goods are original. People come to us because they trust the quality. If Ghanaians want us out, they should first address the failed supply chains that pushed us into retail.”
Meanwhile, Ghanaian traders maintain that their livelihoods are under siege.
“We are orphans in our own land. When we face harassment from tax authorities, nobody defends us. But foreigners are left to operate freely. If this continues, we will take the law into our own hands,” one dealer lamented.
Analysts warn that the clash risks straining Ghana–Nigeria relations, which have historically been tested by similar trade disputes. The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has often cited Section 27 of the GIPC Act, which restricts retail trading to Ghanaians, though enforcement has been inconsistent.
The Ghana Immigration Service and the Ministry of Trade are yet to officially comment on the ultimatum, but security has been heightened around Abossey Okai to prevent escalation.
By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei