CUTS urges Parliament to fast‑track consumer competition law

CUTS International on Dec 5, 2025, urged Ghana’s government and Parliament to fast‑track the long‑delayed Consumer Protection and Competition Bills during the launch of *Consumer Rights and Justice in Ghana: A Legal Compass*.

Director Appiah Kusi Adomako, who heads CUTS International West Africa, warned that the absence of these statutes has created a dangerous vacuum, exposing citizens to exploitation and undermining investor confidence.

“Ghana has been slow in establishing essential legal frameworks to protect consumers and regulate fair market practices,” Adomako said at the event held in Accra on the eve of World Competition Day.

He added, “Consumers are left without protection, and markets operate without discipline,” highlighting that basic rights—product safety, accurate information, fair pricing and effective redress—are routinely violated.

The director also flagged a rise in anti‑competitive behaviour, noting that dominant firms and certain trade associations are dictating prices and restricting market entry for smaller enterprises.

“When associations dictate prices and dominant firms call the shots, competition disappears and small enterprises suffer,” he explained, urging immediate parliamentary action.

CUTS International therefore calls on Parliament to accelerate the passage of both bills, stressing that robust consumer protection and competition laws are vital for a fair, disciplined market and for restoring confidence among Ghanaian shoppers and foreign investors.

Stakeholders await a response from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, while consumer groups prepare to lobby further ahead of the next parliamentary session.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE