Policy think tank CUTS International is calling on the government and Parliament to urgently pass Ghana’s long-delayed Consumer Protection and Competition Bills, warning that the continued delays leave citizens exposed and weaken investor confidence.

The call was made at the launch of Consumer Rights and Justice in Ghana: A Legal Compass, a book by Francisca Kusi Appiah, Vice Dean of the UPSA Law Faculty, held on the eve of World Competition Day, December 5, 2025.

Director of CUTS International West Africa, Appiah Kusi Adomako, said Ghana has been slow in establishing essential legal frameworks to protect consumers and regulate fair market practices. He cautioned that the prolonged absence of these laws has created a dangerous vacuum, enabling exploitation and market irregularities.

“The country has waited long enough. Consumers are left without protection, and markets operate without discipline,” Mr Adomako said.

He noted that without clear regulations, fundamental consumer rights, such as safety, accurate information, fair pricing, and effective avenues for redress, are routinely violated. He further warned that anti-competitive practices are rising, with dominant firms and some trade associations dictating prices and restricting market access for smaller businesses.

“When associations dictate prices and dominant firms call the shots, competition disappears, and small enterprises suffer,” he added.

CUTS International is therefore urging Parliament to accelerate the passage of both bills to safeguard consumers and promote a fair, disciplined market environment.