- Ghana is still without consumer rights legislation
- The draft bill remains dormant
- The lack of urgency in addressing this issue is evident
Despite a 2016 electoral promise to enact a Consumer Protection Law, Ghana is still without comprehensive legislation to safeguard consumer rights.
The draft bill remains dormant at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), while other legislative priorities have taken precedence.
While the government has successfully passed other trade-related bills, the absence of a consumer protection framework has emboldened businesses to engage in unfair practices.
Consumers continue to face challenges with substandard goods, misleading advertising, and inadequate redress mechanisms.
The lack of urgency in addressing this issue is evident, with the bill languishing in the bureaucratic process for nearly two decades.
Experts and consumer advocates have expressed deep concern over the delay, emphasizing the importance of such legislation in protecting citizens and fostering fair market competition.
With the upcoming general elections, there is a narrow window of opportunity for the government to prioritize the passage of the Consumer Protection Bill.
Failure to do so would be a significant missed opportunity to address a critical issue affecting the lives of millions of Ghanaians.
