Private Legal Practitioner and Law lecturer at Central University College, Jude Atakora Tufuor has disclosed that Ghana's laws do not cover online businesses and transactions.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law, Sunday, the law lecturer explained that although buying of goods online is not covered by any regulation, the Sale of Goods Act could be applied to online transactions.

“It is not obviously covered by our acts. However, when you engage in an online transaction you must understand that the Sale of Goods Act can be evoked," he said.

He further noted that buying of goods via online platforms like Jiji are direct online transactions and are covered by the Sale of Goods Act.

According to him, third party online transactions which uses platforms like ebay, amazon and Jumia where the seller is not really known but payments are made and goods delivered are also covered by the Sale of Goods Act.

Mr. Atakora Tufuor said online transactions on Whatsapp and Facebook are technically operating outside the Electronic Transactions Act and cannot be defended by the Sale of Goods Act.

"Section 47 of Electronic Transactions Act 772 lists a tall order for those who operate online transactions and makes it open for people to buy…most of these online platforms do not have such policies.

"Technically when you transact on these platforms, you are operating outside the law. If you do not comply with Act 772, the Sale of Goods Act cannot come to your defence.”