The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has paid a working visit to the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Market in Accra as part of the government’s efforts to ensure fair pricing and protect consumers in the auto parts sector.

The visit aimed to assess the current prices of vehicle spare parts and engage traders on the challenges affecting their operations.

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare was accompanied by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Clement Boateng.

During the visit, the minister held a closed-door meeting with executives of the spare parts dealers’ association to gather firsthand information on market conditions.

Addressing the traders, the minister explained that her visit was a follow-up to an earlier engagement held a few weeks ago at the Ministry, where discussions centered on the stability of the Ghanaian cedi and the need for traders to reflect the improved currency performance in their pricing.

She stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in the pricing of goods, particularly items that directly affect transport costs and the general cost of living.

The president of the Abossey Okai Market Association, Henry Okyere Jnr. acknowledged that prices of spare parts had significantly reduced in recent weeks.

However, he identified the activities of middlemen, popularly known as “Affairs,” as a major challenge. According to him, these middlemen often intercept car owners and sell spare parts at inflated prices, creating the false impression that Abossey Okai traders are overpricing their goods.

He added that some automobile fitters also take advantage of unsuspecting car owners by exaggerating the cost of parts.

In response, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare disclosed the government’s plan to establish a police post at the entrance of the market to clamp down on the activities of unscrupulous middlemen.

She, however, urged spare parts dealers to urgently explore ways of integrating and formally employing some of these individuals to promote order and accountability within the market.

The Trade Minister commended the spare parts dealers for their cooperation and assured them of the government’s continued engagement, urging sustained collaboration in support of Ghana’s industrialization and economic transformation agenda.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, also announced that by the first week of February, the government would create a designated car park along the Agbogbloshie stretch to decongest the Abossey Okai area.

He noted that the move would improve accessibility and encourage car owners to deal directly with shop owners.