Bawumia promises to scrap vehicle import inspection policy if elected
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will scrap the mandatory pre-shipment vehicle inspection policy if he wins the 2028 presidential election, according to former Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi. The announcement signals a major shift in policy that could lower the cost of imported vehicles for Ghanaian consumers and businesses.
Speaking on Metro TV's Good Afternoon Ghana show, Okyere Baafi said the policy, introduced under the Ghana Standards Authority's (GSA) Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) and FlexiPass Programme, places an unnecessary financial burden on vehicle importers. That burden, he argued, would ultimately be passed on to consumers who depend on imported used cars for personal and commercial transportation.
What is the pre-shipment vehicle inspection policy?
The GSA directive required used vehicles destined for Ghana to undergo inspection by approved agents in their countries of origin before shipment. The programme was scheduled for implementation on October 1, 2026, and required imported used vehicles to be inspected against Ghana Standard GS 4510 to determine whether they meet applicable safety and quality requirements.
Importers were expected to pay between US$200 and US$300 per vehicle, depending on the country of export, under the proposed fee structure.
Why was the policy suspended?
Following concerns raised by vehicle importers, dealers and other industry stakeholders, the GSA announced a suspension of the pre-shipment inspection exercise on October 5, 2026. The authority indicated that a new implementation date would be communicated later.
Okyere Baafi has maintained that the suspension does not go far enough and has called for the policy to be permanently withdrawn. He contends that the additional inspection charges would increase the cost of importing vehicles and compound the financial difficulties confronting importers and other players in the automotive trade, particularly amid concerns about the cost of doing business at Ghana's ports.
What would Bawumia do in his first 10 days?
The former Deputy Minister's position signals a commitment by Dr Bawumia to revisit the policy should he win the 2028 presidential election. The proposed action would form part of efforts to address concerns raised by vehicle importers and other stakeholders over the additional costs associated with the programme.
The proposed 10-day timeline would place the policy among the early decisions Dr Bawumia intends to take upon assuming office, according to Okyere Baafi.
Why does the GSA support the inspection policy?
The Ghana Standards Authority has defended the inspection framework as part of efforts to ensure that vehicles entering the country meet national safety, quality and environmental standards. The authority says the programme is intended to identify non-conforming vehicles before they are shipped to Ghana, thereby protecting consumers against unsafe, damaged and substandard vehicles.
The requirements under GS 4510 cover issues including vehicles with structural damage, flood or fire damage, and other conditions that could compromise safety. The standards also restrict the importation of vehicles that exceed the applicable age limit.
The GSA's stated objective is to improve vehicle safety and quality while supporting the development of a more regulated automotive industry.
What happens next?
The controversy centres on whether mandatory inspections in countries of origin, alongside the associated fees, are the most appropriate means of achieving those objectives. While the GSA has suspended the pre-shipment inspection exercise pending a new implementation date, the debate over whether the programme should be revised or scrapped entirely is expected to continue.
For Okyere Baafi, the preferred outcome is a permanent withdrawal of the policy, with Dr Bawumia expected to act on that position if elected President.
Okyere Baafi has also questioned the necessity of introducing another verification requirement, arguing that existing mechanisms could be strengthened to address concerns about stolen vehicles and other import-related irregularities.
Frequently asked questions
Will the vehicle inspection policy be scrapped?
Dr Bawumia has signalled through his spokesperson that he will scrap the policy within his first 10 days in office if elected President in 2028. The GSA has suspended the programme pending a new implementation date.
How much would the inspection have cost importers?
Importers were expected to pay between US$200 and US$300 per vehicle, depending on the country of export, under the proposed fee structure.
Why did the GSA introduce the inspection policy?
The GSA introduced the policy to ensure that vehicles entering Ghana meet national safety, quality and environmental standards, and to protect consumers against unsafe, damaged and substandard vehicles.