CPA calls for the passage of the consumer bill

Takoradi, June 7, GNA - Mr Kofi Kapito, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), on Monday, called on government to expedite action on the passage of the Consumer Bill. He said this would enable consumers to demand better services from service providers.

The CEO said the plight of the consumer, in the Ghanaian economy, has been worsened by the activities of both foreign and local companies, who used all kinds of adjectives and phrases such as, 93goods sold are not returnable" and 93no warranty", among others, to undermine the rights of consumers.

Mr Kapito made the call at a press conference in Takoradi, in the Western Region, as part of activities marking this year's World Consumer Rights Awareness Day. He noted that the absence of a clear-cut policy and the poor functioning of organizations, such as the Ghana Standard Board, the Food an= d Drug Board and the Public Utility Regulatory Commission were greatly affecting consumers.

He also called for the strengthening of Consumer Rights' groups in t= he country to serve as a check on the enforcement of the policy on service providers.

Mr Kapito called on consumers to seek information, especially on goods and services, to enable them to demand value for money, 93the consumer in Ghana lacks the necessary education and knowledge to be duly informed about his or her rights as a consumer". He urged Ghanaians to always check expiry dates, insist on receipt, an= d check the return policy and warranty, among others, which could be used as a yardstick to demand for better services or after sales services. Mr Kapito noted that the abuses of consumers in Ghana could be categorized into areas such as financial, health, telecommunications and governmental agencies.