The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in charge of Operations, Prof. Michael Ayamga-Adongo, has cautioned members of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, urging them to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
His warning follows an incident on Monday, September 8, 2025, when executives of the Association attempted to unilaterally enforce Section 27(1) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865).
The law prohibits non-citizens from engaging in petty trading, hawking, or operating market stalls.
Their actions led to a near-confrontation with some foreign traders in the area.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, September 9, Prof. Ayamga-Adongo emphasised that the enforcement of such laws is the sole responsibility of legally mandated state institutions including the Ghana Immigration Service and other relevant agencies.
“Law enforcement and regulatory bodies are entrusted with the authority to monitor and act on these matters,” he said.
“When individuals or associations take it upon themselves to enforce laws, it creates serious problems not just domestically, but internationally as well.”
He further warned that such actions could provoke retaliatory responses against Ghanaians living and working abroad, particularly in countries where similar tensions exist.
“If foreign governments perceive that their citizens are being targeted unfairly in Ghana, they may respond in kind and that could put our nationals abroad at risk,” Prof. Ayamga-Adongo explained.
Despite these warnings, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has issued a three-day ultimatum to foreign traders, demanding they close their shops or face further action.
The EPA executive urged calm and cooperation with the appropriate authorities, stressing that the rule of law must be upheld at all times, and that vigilante-style enforcement risks both national security and Ghana’s international reputation.
