The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has set a firm deadline of December 9, 2025, for all foreign nationals operating in the retail trade sector within the Kumasi metropolis to voluntarily vacate their spaces.
This directive aims to enforce Ghana’s investment and trade laws, specifically regarding sectors reserved exclusively for Ghanaian citizens. City authorities stated that the move is essential to restore order in the local markets and prevent the chaos often associated with unauthorized trade activities.
The announcement follows a strategic meeting between the KMA and the leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA). The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, acknowledged the longstanding grievances of local traders regarding foreign competition in the retail space.
To manage the transition peacefully, a multi-agency committee has been formed, comprising the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the GRA, Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). This committee is tasked with ensuring that the enforcement of trade laws is carried out legally and without human rights violations.
While the Assembly prepares for a joint enforcement operation with security agencies, Mayor Ofori-Agyemang Boadi has appealed to GUTA members to cease their independent actions of locking up shops.
He emphasized that the KMA is committed to a lawful resolution and that the voluntary exit period is designed to avoid the need for forceful removals. The joint task force will begin active monitoring after the deadline to ensure total compliance with the directive across all major market hubs in the metropolis.