Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia pledges to scrap vehicle import inspection policy

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to eliminate the Ghana Standards Authority’s (GSA) mandatory pre-shipment vehicle inspection policy if he is elected in the 2028 general elections. This policy shift was announced by Michael Okyere Baafi, the former Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, during an appearance on Metro TV’s Good Afternoon Ghana show. The proposal marks a significant commitment to restructuring the nation’s import regulations to favor lower costs for citizens and businesses.

According to Okyere Baafi, the intended abolition of the pre-shipment inspection is designed to streamline customs operations and mitigate the rising costs associated with vehicle importation. Currently, the GSA requires vehicles to undergo rigorous checks before they are shipped to Ghana, a process that importers argue adds unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and financial strain. By removing this requirement, the Bawumia-led platform seeks to simplify the clearing process at the ports and provide direct relief to the automotive industry.

The pledge comes as part of a wider economic discourse focusing on trade facilitation and the ease of doing business in Ghana. While the existing policy was originally introduced to prevent the dumping of substandard vehicles in the country, the proposed reform suggests a shift toward more flexible regulatory frameworks. This move is expected to resonate with used-car dealers and private importers who have long advocated for a reduction in port-related charges. As the political landscape gears up for the next electoral cycle, this proposal serves as a key pillar in the NPP’s economic agenda to stimulate the transport sector.