Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, says Ghana’s efforts to regulate foreign participation in the retail sector continue to be undermined by locals who front for foreign operators.
According to the minister, calls for a nationwide clampdown on foreign retailers overlook the practical realities surrounding enforcement.
Addressing the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Madam Ofosu-Adjare dismissed public claims that foreign nationals control a majority share of Ghana’s retail market.
“I can say for sure that foreigners are not responsible for 70% of our retail market. I don’t need rocket science; I only need to go to the market to see how many shops are being manned by foreigners,” she said.
She acknowledged the presence of some foreign traders but emphasized that many conceal their involvement by registering businesses under Ghanaian names.
“I would not deny that there may be a few foreigners in the retail trade. But even those people are being fronted by local people. When you enter the shop, you will see a Ghanaian sitting there,” the minister explained.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare noted that such arrangements make it nearly impossible for regulators to take action, as official records often show Ghanaian ownership.
“What do you have to say that you are closing that shop because it doesn’t belong to a Ghanaian, when all documentation at the Registrar-General’s Authority shows a Ghanaian name?” she questioned.
The minister maintained that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem unless local business owners stop enabling foreigners to operate in restricted areas of the economy.
“If Ghanaians truly do not want foreigners in the retail space, we can identify and remove them. But as long as we front for them and register businesses on their behalf, there is nothing anybody can do,” she said.
