VADUG urges gov't to suspend planned vehicle conformity verification programme

The Vehicle and Asset Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) has appealed to the government to suspend the implementation of the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme for imported vehicles, arguing that the policy should not be rolled out until wider consultations are held with industry stakeholders. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is expected to introduce the programme on October 1, 2026. VADUG General Secretary Frank Kofigah Atanley urged the Ghana Standards Authority to put the programme on hold until further consultations are held, warning that the policy, if implemented without resolving key concerns, could negatively affect the vehicle import business and result in job losses.

The initiative is intended to ensure imported vehicles meet the country's safety and technical standards, enhance consumer protection, and improve regulatory compliance. VADUG believes the planned timeline is too ambitious and could have unintended consequences for businesses involved in vehicle importation. The union warned that implementing the policy without addressing concerns raised by industry players could create uncertainty and threaten jobs within the sector. VADUG maintained that any major regulatory reform affecting the automotive industry should be developed through extensive engagement with importers and other stakeholders to ensure practical implementation and avoid disruptions to the market.