BY DANIEL BAMPOE
NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has backed calls to abolish the proposed pre-shipment inspection regime for imported vehicles, joining car dealers in raising concerns about additional costs, high import duties and delays in clearing vehicles at the ports.
Dr Bawumia has thrown his support behind calls to scrap the proposed pre-shipment inspection regime for imported vehicles following a meeting with the leadership of the Vehicles and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG).
The proposed policy, developed under the Ghana Standards Authority’s Pre-Export Verification of Conformity programme, was intended to ensure that imported vehicles met Ghana’s applicable safety and technical standards before being shipped into the country.
However, the initiative has generated concerns among vehicle dealers over the additional financial burden it could impose on importers and the potential consequences for vehicle prices in the domestic market.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 28, Dr Bawumia disclosed that the proposed inspection requirement was among several issues discussed during his engagement with VADUG, adding that both sides agreed the policy should be abolished.
The meeting formed part of his stakeholder consultations aimed at identifying challenges confronting businesses and developing policy proposals to address concerns raised by industry players.
Proposed Inspection Fees Spark Concerns
Under the proposed arrangement, used vehicles would have been required to undergo inspection in their countries of origin before shipment to Ghana.
The inspection fees were expected to range from US$200 to US$300 per vehicle, depending on the country of origin.
The additional charge raised concerns among vehicle dealers, who feared that the requirement could increase the cost of importing cars and potentially affect prices for consumers.
The Ghana Standards Authority subsequently suspended implementation of the regime in October 2026 following concerns surrounding its introduction. The Authority indicated that a new implementation date would be communicated.
Dr Bawumia’s latest position adds to the debate over whether the proposed inspection regime should be abandoned or reconsidered in a way that addresses industry concerns while maintaining appropriate vehicle safety standards.
Although the NPP flagbearer supports scrapping the proposed requirement, the supplied statement does not indicate that he outlined an alternative technical framework for inspecting imported vehicles.
High Import Duties and Port Delays Also Under Spotlight
Beyond the proposed inspection regime, the meeting addressed other challenges confronting vehicle importers and dealers.
Dr Bawumia said VADUG raised concerns about high import duties, delays in clearing vehicles at the ports and difficulties accessing credit from the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
These issues, according to the NPP flagbearer, contribute to the difficulties faced by businesses operating in the vehicle trade.
High import-related charges can increase the overall cost of bringing vehicles into Ghana, while delays at the ports can add to the expenses incurred by importers before their vehicles reach the market.
Access to credit was another major issue discussed, with the dealers seeking improved financing opportunities to support their business activities.
The engagement also addressed the enforcement of laws intended to protect Ghanaian retailers from unfair competition from foreign businesses.
Dr Bawumia said the concerns raised during the meeting would inform further discussions between his team and the industry representatives.
Bawumia Promises Further Engagement With Dealers
Describing the meeting as fruitful, Dr Bawumia said both sides had agreed to continue engaging to develop specific policy proposals addressing the concerns raised.
In his account of the discussions, he said: “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), access to credit from EXIM bank, and the enforcement of laws to protect the Ghanaian retailers from unfair competition from foreign retailers.”
The commitment to further engagement suggests that the discussions are expected to continue beyond the immediate question of vehicle inspections.
For VADUG, the issues raised touch on several aspects of the business environment, including import costs, access to financing, port administration and competition within the retail market.
However, the statement did not specify when the proposed policy recommendations would be finalised or whether they would be presented to the relevant government institutions.
Balancing Vehicle Safety With Affordability
The controversy surrounding the proposed inspection regime highlights the challenge of balancing vehicle safety requirements with the cost of importing vehicles into Ghana.
The Ghana Standards Authority’s stated objective under the proposed programme was to verify conformity with applicable standards before vehicles were shipped to the country.
Vehicle dealers, meanwhile, have raised concerns about the financial implications of introducing additional inspection fees into an already costly import process.
