GRA Locks Nigerian Shops At Tiptoe Lane Over Failure To Present Business Documents

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has closed down a number of shops owned by foreigners at the Tiptoe Lane, a business hub within the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

The foreigners were locked out after they failed to comply with a notice to present documents covering their businesses.

The shops that were locked are said to be mostly owned by Nigerians who failed to turn up and present documents as ordered by the GRA.

Among others, they were to present details of their businesses such as name, year of establishment, Tax Identification Number (TIN), GPS address, and monthly or weekly income, however, they did not turn up for the exercise.

The GRA has said that the shops that have been locked as a result of the non-compliance will only be opened after the shop owners have presented the necessary documents for assessment.

Officials of the GRA on Tuesday commenced an exercise to assess the documents of all foreigners trading in Ghana to ascertain the legality of their status. Per the trading laws of Ghana, foreigners are not supposed to be involved in retail trade, however, the flout of that order has been more the norm than the exception.

This has led to confrontations with the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) occasionally taking the law into their own hands to close down shops.

Last year matters got to a head, but President Akufo-Addo urged GUTA members to exercise restraint, assuring that the law will be enforced. Apparently, the GRA’s exercise is in keeping with the President’s promise.