Pass consumer protection law - Justice Dotse entreats government

The government must work towards the passage of a comprehensive consumer protection law this year, a consumer sovereignty advocate, CUTS International Accra, has appealed.

The Board Chairman of the organisation and a former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Jones Dotse, made the call on behalf of the organisation in Accra.

The organisation is involved in research, analysis of consumer sovereignty issues and building of capacity for advocacy.

He said such a legislation would provide a unified framework for consumer protection, bridge regulatory gaps and empower citizens to demand accountability from service providers.

“The absence of this legislation is a glaring omission in our legal system, one that we can no longer afford to delay,” he said.

Justice Dotse was speaking yesterday at a symposium and panel discussion organised by CUTS International Accra as part of activities to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day.

The state of consumer rights in Ghana 2025, a comprehensive report on consumer awareness, satisfaction and recommendations for reforms was also launched at the event.

The report is dubbed: “The state of consumer rights in Ghana 2025: Insights into awareness, satisfaction and recommendations for reform.”

The World Consumer Rights Day is observed annually on March 15, to raise awareness about consumer rights and also promote their protection globally.

Collaboration

Justice Dotse further said that ensuring consumer empowerment was a collective mission, requiring sustained commitment from the private sector, regulatory authorities and all well-meaning citizens.

He urged partnership from various stakeholders to ensure the initiative evolved annually, adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

“Our resolve is further strengthened by the fact that CUTS Accra has shared this report with all relevant regulators. Their feedback and comments have refined our insights, ensuring a collaborative approach toward consumer protection,” Justice Dotse added.

He said his outfit was committed to translating the findings into action by collaborating with key regulatory bodies, including the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the National Communications Authority (NCA), the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to act swiftly to address concerns raised by consumers in the report.

Commitment

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, in a speech read on her behalf by the Director of Standards at the ministry, Patricia Boateng Bannor, reaffirmed the government commitment to strengthening consumer protection laws to ensure fair trade practices and safeguard consumers from substandard and counterfeit goods.

In line with that, she said, the ministry in collaboration with key partners was drafting the legislation to establish clear service delivery standards, mandate transparent pricing, create accessible complaint mechanisms, empower regulators to hold providers accountable and protect consumers from fraud, substandard goods and neglect.

He commended CUTS International Accra and partners for their efforts in advancing consumer protection, saying “this timely study provides a roadmap for our efforts. The reports give us the data and stories we need to shape policy that resonates with reality”.

Standards

The Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor Alex Dodoo, reinforced the critical role of standards in consumer protection, emphasising that the country had well-established regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, quality and fairness in trade and services.

He said there was the need to prioritise enforcement over the enactment of new laws.

Prof. Dodoo also encouraged consumers to demand accountability and report violations.

Among findings in the report were infractions in telecommunications, high mobile money costs and network outages plaguing consumers, with only 36 per cent of consumers being aware of their rights to seek redress.