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Adopt current regulations to safeguard consumers, CUTS advises regulators.

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In the absence of a comprehensive and effective Consumer Protection Policy and Law in the nation, CUTS International, a leading consumer protection organization and think tank in Accra, Ghana, is urging various regulators to implement existing regulations to protect the rights and welfare of consumers.

This request was made by Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, the West Africa Regional Director for CUTS, at a conference held in Accra to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day, which was organized by his organization in collaboration with the Law Faculty of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA).

The purpose of the conference was to promote the swift passage of the Consumer Protection Policy and Law as well as to guarantee consumer welfare through efficient regulatory activities.

The lack of a consumer protection law in the nation, according to Mr. Adomako, has undoubtedly contributed to the pervasive and intentional abuse of consumer rights.

Sectoral regulators must exercise their regulatory authority to make sure that consumers in the nation are not given a terrible deal in the absence of a functioning consumer protection law. Ghanaian customers should not be subject to a nonexistent Consumer Protection Law’s protection. Several aspects in already-existing laws and regulations, when put into reality, may serve to protect customers from unethical business activities, according to him.

Mr. Adomako stressed that through the passing of laws and their implementation, the state is responsible for promoting, safeguarding, and defending consumer rights just like it is responsible for doing the same for fundamental human rights.

“Consumer enters a store intending to buy a product, but after taking it home, the consumer decides otherwise. Because the store has explicitly said that the items sold are not returnable, even if this is against the law, the consumer will not be able to do so in around 99% of cases in the nation, he or she continued.

Law lecturer Dr. Franscica Kusi Appiah of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) emphasized the significance of such gatherings. She claimed that they should have the ability to understand their rights under numerous provisions.

In the absence of a consumer protection law, a number of regulators, including the National Communication Authority (NCA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Ghana Standard Authority (GSA), and Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), highlighted the work that their respective agencies are doing to safeguard the welfare and rights of consumers.

Mr. Kwame Gyan, the NCA’s deputy director for consumer and corporate affairs, emphasized the steps the NCA has taken to address consumer issues in the telecommunications industry. He mentioned the establishment of a specific desk to hear and respond to customer complaints.

Natasha Boakye, a manager with the National Petroleum Authority’s Consumer Unit, added that the Authority recently launched a national campaign to educate consumers on the usage of fire extinguishers and the different redress mechanisms available to them. She further mentioned that the Authority frequently performs arbitrary checks at filling stations all around the nation to determine the caliber of fuel offered to customers.

These tests are carried out to make sure Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) don’t compromise on the quality of the petroleum products they offer to consumers and to prosecute those who do.

Consumer rights and welfare are at the core of what they do as a commission, according to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s Director of Legal, Mrs. Nancy Atiamo. For the purpose of educating consumers, they plan public education programs.

An internal graphic designer and marketing officer for the Ghana Standard Authority, she is dedicated to upholding consumer rights.

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