Understanding the implications of migrant retail trading in Ghana: a stakeholder perspective

Abstract

This study explores the perspectives of relevant stakeholders on the engagement of West African migrants in retail trading businesses meant for indigenes under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act. The study was conducted qualitatively on 13 participants in the Accra Metropolis (Which comprised immigrant key informants and institutional stakeholders) using semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis procedure was used to analyse the data and report the findings. The results showed that the immigrant interviewees were oblivious of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act and so considered their retail businesses as legitimate under the Economic Community of West African States protocol on establishment. They further justified the legitimacy of their trading activities with the conviction that other Ghanaians are engaged in similar businesses in their countries of origin. Nevertheless, participants from the institutions unanimously dispelled the views shared by the immigrant interviewees and argued that the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre law supersedes the Economic Community of West African States protocol. They bemoaned that the immigrants’ retail activities are not only a threat to indigenous businesses and revenue mobilisation, but have the proclivity to engender regional conflicts. The policy and security implications of this paper are elucidated in the discussion and conclusion sections.

Keywords: Ghana, Implications, Migrant Retail Trading, Stakeholder Perspective