GUTA Suspends Sction; All Shops In Accra To Reopen Today

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has suspended its three-day mass action that has kept trading shops in Accra closed since Wednesday, October 19.

The action by the major trading union in the country was to protest the high cost of doing business as a result of the present economic conditions.

They had cited the falling rate of the local currency, Cedi, on the international market as foremost reason why they took the action.

During the period, most shops were kept under lock and key and those who attempted to open theirs were dealt with by a task force.

But in a statement issued late Thursday, October 20, GUTA said all shops should reopen Friday.

It said since the action was embarked upon, major stakeholders including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have met the executives of GUTA and acknowledged their concerns.

President Akufo-Addo directed that a working committee be set up “for expeditious action”.

It was also agreed that the concerns of the traders be factored into any negotiations ongoing with the IMF.

The traders singled out the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, President Akufo-Addo and members of the Council of State as helping very hard to find a lasting solution to this.

“In view of all this goodwill from these great personalities, we wish to appeal to our teeming members and the entire trading community who participated in this strike action to reopen their shops from [Friday] as we continue to pursue the process for immediate solution ”