The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has raised serious allegations against the Nana Addo-led New Patriotic Party government, accusing it of intentionally suppressing businesses in the Ashanti Region.
Businessmen in the region have repeatedly voiced their frustrations and concerns about the consistent intimidation and obstacles imposed by the task force from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
GUTA has consistently highlighted the detrimental impact of these frustrations, leading to the relocation or closure of numerous businesses in the region. During an interview on the Oyerepa Breakfast Show, the association’s leadership expressed deep concerns regarding the NPP government’s discriminatory treatment of businesses in the Ashanti region, which starkly contrasts with its approach in other regions.
Moreover, GUTA emphasized that this harassment and intimidation predominantly occur along the Accra-Kumasi and Takoradi-Kumasi roads. These task forces have exploited these locations as opportunities to extort money from businessmen over the past few years.
“There is a deliberate attempt by the NPP government to collapse all businesses in Ashanti region…they just to collapse our businesses because the frustrations, intimation and extortion are very serious,” they stated.
However, the association also emphasized that they will not sit idly by while the government attempts to intimidate and destroy their businesses, as they have made significant investments, particularly in the Ashanti region.
Furthermore, the association’s leadership has issued a stern warning to the government, giving them a two-week ultimatum to address their concerns. Failure to do so will result in the association taking appropriate action.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com / Nana Freduah Agyemang Derrick
