On Friday, October 23, the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) marked its 20th anniversary with a statement demanding that Ghana’s Consumer Protection Bill, first drafted in 2006, be passed before the end of 2026. The agency warned that the absence of a comprehensive law leaves consumers vulnerable to unfair business practices, substandard products and poor services.
The CPA said the bill has lingered at the Ministry of Trade and Industry for years despite advocacy, petitions, national forums and stakeholder engagements. The agency highlighted the growing risk posed by e‑commerce and the circulation of fake, unregistered and inferior products on the Ghanaian market.
Founded and funded by Kofi Kapito in 2006 and launched by the late Vice‑President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the CPA has campaigned against poor telecommunications services, called for sanctions against under‑performing operators and pushed for fines to fund consumer education. It also organised Ghana’s first Off Phone Day protests over poor service delivery.
In retail, the CPA has fought the use of “olonka” and other unapproved measuring containers, advocating certified weighing scales to protect consumers from unfair measurements. The agency has worked with the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority and Public Utilities Regulatory Commission on product safety initiatives.
One of the CPA’s highlighted achievements is the removal of over four million fake baby diapers from the market through enforcement activities. The agency also addressed complaints about sanitary towels, confirming the safety of re‑tested registered products, and has advocated for reductions in electricity tariffs to ease consumer burden.
To strengthen consumer protection, the CPA outlined four key measures: (1) pass the Consumer Protection Bill before the end of 2026; (2) establish a well‑funded Consumer Protection Authority; (3) standardise market measurements with certified scales; and (4) develop a clear policy to curb the importation of fake, unregistered and inferior products.
The CPA also announced the launch of Ghana’s first Consumer Arbitration and Mediation Centre, offering an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that can resolve cases within one month, potentially speeding up consumer complaints compared to court proceedings.
In its statement, CPA Executive Director for Mediation and Arbitration Nana Prempeh Okogyeabour Aduhene thanked individuals and institutions that have supported the agency’s work over the past two decades and expressed concern about funding for its operations, which has largely depended on the resourcefulness of its chief executive officer and benevolent institutions.
As the CPA calls for legislative action, stakeholders will watch Parliament’s agenda to see if the Consumer Protection Bill can be advanced before the year’s end.
