Two Nigerian-owned shops at Suame in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, were ransacked by raucous Ghanaian youths in the early hours of Wednesday, 19 June 2019.

The vandalisation of the shops was to register their displeasure against a decision by the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) to reopen closed Nigerian retail shops.

This led to a near-clash between the Nigerians and the Ghanaians.

The confusion transpired ahead of a meeting by GUTA and other stakeholders on Wednesday to deliberate on the fate of Nigerian retailers at Suame and Tafo.

The Nigerians closed their shops temporarily on Friday, 14 June 2019 over what they described as attacks from their Ghanaian counterparts.


The Ghanaian traders argue that they are only enforcing the laws of Ghana which bar foreigners from engaging in the retail sub-sector, a preserve of Ghanaians.

The rampaging youth, who wore red bands and attires, also lit car tyres as part of their protest.

The Ghanaians also expressed anger about the kidnapping scourge in the country which involves Nigerian suspects.

They have, therefore, resolved and threatened to deal with the Nigerians since the authorities have not been able to intervene in the matter.

On Tuesday, 18 June 2019, the police command met the Nigerians and assured them of their security and asked them to reopen their shops today.

The police have been deployed to the scene to maintain peace and order.