Accra: CUTS International Accra, an advocacy research organisation, has urged the Government of Ghana to enact a comprehensive Consumer Protection Act. This proposed legislation aims to consolidate existing sector-specific regulations and enforcement mechanisms, creating a unified legal framework to safeguard consumer rights across all economic sectors.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS International, emphasized this need in a recommendation based on a study report titled ‘The State of the Ghanaian Consumer.’ The report, conducted by CUTS International Accra in collaboration with the National Communications Authority, also advocates for the establishment of an independent national consumer protection authority. This authority would oversee the implementation of consumer protection policies and promote consumer education.
Mr. Adomako further suggested the introduction of a consumer empowerment fund. This fund, potentially financed through industry levies or the government budget, would support research initiatives by civil society organisations. Meanwhile, Madam Patricia Boateng Bannor, Director of Standards at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, affirmed the government’s commitment to enacting the Consumer Protection Law, noting that the report by CUTS International adds momentum to this legislative agenda.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of consumer rights and protection across various sectors, including telecommunications, road safety, e-commerce, banking and financial services, water, electricity, waste management, and aviation. A primary objective of the study was to evaluate consumer awareness of their rights and responsibilities across these sectors. The research involved qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods with a sample size of 1,795 consumers from 10 regions.
In the telecommunications sector, the report highlighted significant concerns, with 60.89% of consumers experiencing poor reception, 52.22% facing low Internet speeds, and 37% encountering low service quality. Regarding road safety, the report identified over-speeding as a concern for 76.35% of respondents, while 74.66% complained about poor road conditions, and 53.72% cited faulty vehicles as issues.
The report also revealed that over 70% of consumers engaged in e-commerce are unaware of existing consumer rights and protection laws, underscoring the need for authoritative intervention. In banking services, 61.2% of respondents rated the sector as average, while 52.2% expressed satisfaction with the services provided.