Former Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, says Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will scrap the Ghana Standards Authority’s (GSA) mandatory pre-shipment vehicle inspection policy if he assumes office as President, following his election in the 2028 general elections.

Okyere Baafi made the remarks on the *Good Afternoon Ghana* show on Metro TV.

According to Mr Okyere Baafi, the policy, introduced under the GSA’s Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) and FlexiPass Programme, imposes an unnecessary financial burden on vehicle importers and could ultimately increase the cost of vehicles for consumers.

His comments come amid growing debate over the GSA’s directive requiring used vehicles destined for Ghana to undergo inspection by approved agents in their countries of origin before shipment.

The programme, which was scheduled for implementation on October 1, 2026, requires imported used vehicles to be inspected against Ghana Standard GS 4510 to determine whether they meet the applicable safety and quality requirements.

However, 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, indicating 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Okyere Baafi has maintained that the suspension does not go far enough and has called for the policy to be permanently withdrawn.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 argues that the additional inspection charges would increase the cost of importing vehicles, with the burden eventually transferred to consumers who depend on imported used cars for personal and commercial transportation.

Under the proposed fee structure, importers were expected to pay between US$200 and US$300 per vehicle, depending on the country of export.

Okyere Baafi contends that the additional charge would 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.

He 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.

Bawumia’s proposed first 10-day action

The former Deputy Minister’s position signals a commitment by Dr Bawumia to revisit the policy should he win the 2028 presidential election.

Okyere Baafi says 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 Mr Okyere Baafi.

GSA’s justification for the 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.

The controversy, however, 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 Mr Okyere Baafi, the preferred outcome is a permanent withdrawal of the policy, with Dr Bawumia expected to act on that position if elected President.