An illustrious member of the NDC communication team, Alhaji Mahama
Salia sobriquet “Efiewura” in the Brong Ahafo Region has lashed out
the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), for proceeding with
strike actions without any credible reasons.
He described some of GUTA’s reasons to put down tools for a stipulated
4 day period, starting today, not “wholly appreciable” explaining
that, one of GUTA’s concerns points out ,retail sector of the country
has been taken over by foreigners, precisely their Nigerian
counterparts which gives indications that, Ghanaians patronize
products by foreign retailers than the indigenes.
“I believe that their concerns are not wholly appreciable”, he reiterated.
He furthered that Ghanaian retailers are used to hiking prices of
their products unlike their Nigerian counterpart who will settle on
non-exuberant profits to clear their products.
“if you like walk downstairs; per a product ask three different shops
within the same vicinity just a stone throw to each other, if the
prices are equal, call me a liar and I’ll not appear on your show
again”, he challenged the host…”and if the prices are not equal then
you will know where some Ghanaians are coming from”, he retorted.
He continued that every consumer will vouch for an affordable product,
hence purchase from a trader who have the disposition to take a
considerable profit, adding that prices of Ghanaian traders are out of
the ordinary.
“This is common knowledge and government should not be blamed if the
Nigerians are doing well”, he remarked.
Taxes
Touching on tax, he said no country in the world has a stagnant tax
rate. He said depending on the situation, the country may experience
either upward or downward adjustment if that’s government’s decision;
saying that though he shares their plights as the country is embattled
economically, he sees no reason for their actions.
Alhaji Mahama Salia reacted to this issue as a guest on J-life’s
newspaper discussion segments, coffee shop, early this morning.
The background
Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) announced a four day strike
of which they intend closing up their shops in order to register their
concerns to the government days ago, asking government’s intervention
on the recent predicaments they are going through as a result of the
current economic condition that is crippling the nation.
The strike which commenced today 24th June, will surmisably end on
Friday 27th of this month; however the police have assured total
protection for blacklegs.
By: Nono Edem (Sagahr)
