The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), alongside representatives from CUTS International Accra and Imani Africa, has voiced strong concerns over the continued delay in passing the Consumer Protection Bill into law. The joint efforts by these organisations underscore their commitment to ensuring the rights and welfare of Ghanaian consumers.
Mr. Koffi Kapito, CEO of CPA, addressing a press conference in Accra, this week, indicated that the protracted struggle to advance the Consumer Protection Bill, initially introduced in 2005, was to the disadvantage of the public.
His challenge for drawing public attention hinges on the bill’s importance, yet it has remained dormant in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) for nearly two decades.
In contrast, he said other draft bills, including the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Bill have successfully navigated the legislative process.
He said the bill’s lack of progress contrasts sharply with other legislative advancements, including the recent Affirmative Action Act, which was passed as part of IMF conditionalities.
Mr. Kapito added that this discrepancy has led to frustration among consumer rights advocates, questioning whether the government’s inaction is influenced by business interests.
He underscored the real-life impact of the bill’s delay, citing everyday scenarios where consumers suffer due to inadequate protection.
The Chronicle is of the view that from contaminated food products to faulty electronics and complex redress processes, the absence of robust consumer protection legislation would leave many consumers vulnerable.
The overarching object of the Consumer Prortection bill is to protect, secure and defend the rights of consumers through a structured institutional mechanism and legal framework that will ensure that consumers play a significant role in keeping erring businesses in check.
For nearly two decades, this bill has languished in legislative limbo, leaving consumers vulnerable to exploitation and inadequate protection. It is high time the government acts in favor of its citizens by prioritising this bill, which has the potential to significantly improve consumer welfare and accountability in the business sector.
The Bill, first introduced in 2005, seeks to establish a robust legal framework that protects consumers from unfair business practices, substandard goods and services, and provides an accessible means of redress.
The bill’s delay has left consumers to fend for themselves in a market where businesses are not held to stringent standards. From contaminated food products to faulty electronics, Ghanaians are constantly exposed to products that jeopardize their health, safety, and finances.
What makes this delay particularly frustrating is the inconsistency in the legislative process. Other bills, such as the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Bill and the Affirmative Action Act, have successfully navigated the legal framework, even under the pressure of IMF conditionalities.
Yet, the Consumer Protection Bill a bill that directly impacts the daily lives of Ghanaians remains stalled. This raises serious concerns about whether business interests are being prioritised over the welfare of consumers, as suggested by Mr. Kapito.
The absence of consumer protection legislation affects every Ghanaian, regardless of socio-economic status. Without this legal shield, individuals have limited recourse when they encounter defective products, misleading advertising, or poor-quality services.
Current redress mechanisms are often complex and inaccessible, leaving most consumers without the means to seek compensation or justice. This void in protection disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, who are more likely to suffer the consequences of substandard products and services.
The bill’s provisions would empower consumers to hold businesses accountable, fostering trust and improving the overall quality of goods and services in the country. It would also create an institutional mechanism for addressing consumer complaints efficiently, ensuring that wronged consumers have a clear and accessible path to resolution.
