The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has expressed pessimism over the realisation of a Consumer Protection Law in Ghana.

This comes in the wake of an announced Consumer Protection Bill by Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor, the interim Minister for Trade and Industry.

Despite being “enthused” by the announcement, the Agency said, the realisation of such a law in Ghana is very unlikely due to governments apparent disregard for the rights of consumers.

On Wednesday, February 15, Hon Jinapor said the bill is to protect, secure and defend the rights of consumers through a structured institutional mechanism and legal framework.

He said it had become more necessary due to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the selection of Ghana as the host of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

But CPA said the bill might not see the light of day since efforts to pass it over the past 17 years have failed.

“Though enthused we are still pessimistic because the CPA has pushed governments upon governments since 2006 for a consumer bill to protect consumers of Ghana which has all fallen on rocks. 

“In 2013 the CPA through the support of some NGO’s drafted a proposed bill and presented to the government for consideration and fine-tuning for it to be presented to parliament. However, after the first reading in parliament, the bill could not see any improvement till the 2016 parliament ended. 

“In 2017 we had hope for the bill to be passed since this time it has been made a manifesto promise by the ruling government and yet could not find the light of day till the 2020 parliament also ended.”

It has no confidence that the next substantive Minister for Trade will have an interest in the Bill, plus, the current Parliament has few months to dissolve.

“The current parliament has just a live time of two years and for this bill to be passed before the end of this parliament, that means a lot has to be done and that explains our pessimism.”

 It also pointed out that the passage of the Bill shouldn’t be tied to the AfCFTA but for the benefit of Ghanaians.

Below Is The Full Statement:

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF THE CONSUMER RIGHT BILL BY THE CARE TAKER MINISTER FOR TRADE: 

The consumer protection Agency is much enthused over the statement by the care taker minister of trade Hon Samuel Abu Gyinapor in relation to government’s commitment to pass the consumer bill. 

Though enthused we are still pessimistic because the CPA has pushed governments upon governments since 2006 for a consumer bill to protect consumers of Ghana which has all fallen on rocks. 

In 2013 the CPA through the support of some NGO’s drafted a proposed bill and presented to the government for consideration and fine tuning for it to be presented to parliament. However after the first reading in parliament the bill could not see any improvement till the 2016 parliament ended. 

In 2017 we had hope for the bill to be passed since this time it has been made a manifesto promise by the ruling government and yet could not find the light of day till the 2020 parliament also ended.

The current parliament has just a live time of two years and for this bill to be passed before the end of this parliament, that means a lot has to be done and that explains our pessimism.

We want to have a sincere believe in the care taker minister however we can’t say the same when the new appointed minister takes over and will have the same Optimism to pass the consumer bill which is well overdue. 

We live in a country where the most vulnerable are consumers who are voiceless and have no one to hear their plea when seeking redress. The passage of the consumer bill for Ghana shouldn’t be tied to Acfta but a bill to protect the citizens of Ghana. 

SIGNED

Nana Prempeh Okogyeabour Aduhene

0546944877

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini