New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has backed calls to abolish the proposed pre-shipment vehicle inspection regime for imported used cars, following discussions with the Vehicles and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana.
Dr Bawumia said the policy was among several concerns raised when he met the union’s leadership as part of stakeholder consultations on challenges facing Ghana’s vehicle trade.
“The challenges discussed included high import duties and delays in port clearance, the intended introduction of pre-shipment inspection of cars, which we agreed should be abolished,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 28.
GSA Policy Already Suspended
The proposed regime was introduced by the Ghana Standards Authority under its conformity programme for imported used vehicles.
It would require vehicles to undergo inspection in their countries of origin before shipment to Ghana to confirm compliance with applicable safety and technical standards.
The GSA, however, suspended implementation on October 5, saying a new date would be announced later. The Authority did not give a reason for the suspension.
Vehicle dealers had raised concerns about the additional inspection requirements and costs before the suspension.
Import Duties and Credit Also Raised
Dr Bawumia said his engagement with VADUG went beyond the inspection regime.
The discussions covered high import duties, delays in clearing vehicles at Ghana’s ports and access to financing through the Ghana Export-Import Bank.
The union also raised concerns about competition from foreign retailers and called for stronger enforcement of laws intended to protect Ghanaian businesses.
Dr Bawumia described the meeting as fruitful and said representatives from both sides would continue discussions aimed at developing specific policy proposals for the automobile trade.
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