As the world observes Consumer Day, the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has called for urgent passage of the long-awaited Consumer Protection Bill.
The agency argued that the absence of a comprehensive consumer protection law has created a regulatory gap, allowing unscrupulous businesses to flood the local market with unwholesome and substandard goods.
Speaking on the issue, the Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration at the CPA, Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene emphasized the urgency of passing the bill, which has been stalled in Parliament for years. He stated that the bill would serve as a robust legal framework to protect consumer rights and hold businesses accountable.
“ The Bill was before the former Parliament, even before 2013, was sponsored by the Consumer Protection Agency. We paid for it fully for the draft to be done. We’ve done enough for it to go to Parliament, have its first reading, have its second reading. It’s unfortunate that the state does not see it necessary to pass the bill.’’
Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration
He pointed out that the government’s control over certain institutions, such as utility service providers, may be a contributing factor to the delays. The CPA has called on Parliament to prioritize the bill’s passage to ensure that consumers are adequately protected.
“We have scattered bills that we claim are protecting consumers, but they are not. If we have the Consumer Bill in place, so many things will change. So many lifestyles will change. There is no way any institution will allow a product to come into this country without going through the normal process.”
“The [illegal] paints that we are talking about—if [the bill is passed], the Consumer Commissioner will charge even the officer, the CEO in charge of [such illegal products]. He [consumer Commissioner] will be held responsible because he will have the powers of a high court.”
Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration
Mr. Aduhene stressed that the CPA has done its part by engaging Parliament and writing to the necessary authorities, yet no action has been taken. He called on the media to support the advocacy campaign by increasing public awareness.
“Our parliamentarians representing us, this is something that we need in this country. We have tried and tried.”
Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration
The CPA expressed disappointment in the previous government’s repeated assurances that the bill would be passed, only for nothing to happen. Mr. Aduhene recalled a commitment made by a former Minister of Trade, Alan Kyerematen, during the previous administration.
“So this time, we are pleading. We are on our knees. We are pleading with the President, we are pleading with the Parliament of Ghana to pass this bill so that you and I can be protected.”
Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration
Consequences of a Weak Consumer Protection System
He further highlighted the dire consequences of a weak consumer protection system in Ghana.
“Somebody cannot just sit down and say that he has developed a product, name it, and give it to people just to take, when the FDA has not certified it.”
Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration
He further explained that passing the bill would prevent such practices by enforcing stricter regulatory measures.
“The institution that will allow [uncertified] products to come into this country, will be sanctioned. And everybody will sit up.”
Mr. Nana Prempeh Aduhene Director of Consumer Mediation and Arbitration
He maintained that the bill’s passage would help resolve many of the ongoing issues affecting consumer rights and product quality.
The Consumer Protection Agency has once again sounded the alarm, urging Parliament to pass the Consumer Bill without further delay.
As Consumer Day is observed worldwide, the CPA’s plea serves as a stark reminder that consumer rights must be protected. The ball is now in Parliament’s court to ensure that Ghanaian consumers are not left unprotected any longer.
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