CPA marks 20 years without consumer protection law in Ghana, urges passage of bill by December

The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has urged the President and Parliament to enact Ghana's long-awaited Consumer Protection Bill before the end of 2026, highlighting the significant impact the absence of the legislation has had on consumer rights. Founded in 2006, the CPA has been advocating for consumer rights, working with authorities such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to improve product safety and consumer welfare.

The agency has also been campaigning against poor telecommunications services, unapproved measuring containers in markets, and substandard diapers, among other issues. Despite years of efforts, the CPA asserts that the bill remains stuck at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The lack of a dedicated legal framework has become particularly problematic as e-commerce grows and fake, unregistered, and inferior products flood the market.

The CPA is advocating for the establishment of a well-funded Consumer Protection Authority with the power to enforce consumer rights and hold businesses accountable. The agency is also pushing for the standardisation of market measurements and clear policies to curb the importation of fake products. The CPA has set four key demands to strengthen consumer protection: passing the Consumer Protection Bill, establishing a Consumer Protection Authority, standardising market measurements, and tackling substandard imports.