Mobile phone retailers
The Association of Independent Mobile Phone & Credit Dealers (ASIMODE), has called on the Ministry of Trade & Industry to restrain foreigners who are engaged in the retail of mobile phones from taking over the business without delay.
The mobile retail market has become an increasingly difficult area for independent mobile retailers with foreigners dominating every facet of the industry and engaging in criminal activities to the detriment of the country’s economy.
Nii Adjetey Sowah, president of ASIMODE, in a press release issued by his outfit recently, said mobile phone retailers generate revenue through the sale of products and services from the regulated service providers on commission basis but with the influx of foreigners into the retail business, the jobs of members are on the line.
To make issues worse, he said service providers have even adopted strategies to handle sales directly, stressing that they were rapidly expanding sale channels by increasing the number of branded stores.
Mr. Sowah therefore appealed to policy makers “to ensure that local businesses continue to play a vital role in our communities.”
“We call on Government to look at the problems in terms of the independent mobile phone retailers, otherwise small shops across the country will have to cease trading by 2015,” he said.
He further urged Government to create a conducive environment for the private sector to create wealth and jobs for the poor and tackle the unethical business activities of the regulated service providers.
By Lukman Amusa
