The Ghana Auctioneers Association is appealing to the Ministry of the Interior and other relevant regulatory authorities to investigate and clamp down on the growing practice of unauthorized auction procedures across the country.
The Association says the practice constitutes a breach of the law, deprives the state of much needed revenue, and undermines the work of licensed auctioneers.
By law, auctioneers are mandated to conduct and supervise the sale of goods and properties through auction, in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements.
However, the Association says some individuals and institutions are increasingly circumventing due process by conducting auctions without the necessary authorization and, in some cases, engaging persons who are not licensed auctioneers.
The new President of the Ghana Auctioneers Association, Ebenezer Nii Oti Ankrah, is therefore calling on regulators to step up enforcement and ensure that all auction processes comply with the law.
He says this is crucial to protecting the integrity of the auctioning profession, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding state revenue.
“We call on government, the Chief of Staff, and Interior Ministry to launch a comprehensive investigation into the growing practice of using purportedly unauthorised letters to circumvent established auction procedures. No individual or office should override contracts legally awarded to licensed auctioneers.”
He adds that the consequences of bypassing established auction procedures go beyond the profession, as the state stands to lose significant revenue.
“When aution processes are infiltrated, the state loses revenue. Public trust erodes. We demand the directors of state institutions respect mandate issued through due process.”
The new President also raised concerns about the auctioning of vehicles by some diplomatic missions and international organizations, saying such practices must be subjected to the appropriate legal and regulatory processes.
“There are a lot of organization, UN, America mission in general who auction cars without auctioneers. The Ministry of foreign affairs must check that. Under the laws the vehicles they use must be taken back to where they brought it from or sell it in this country, but must remove all incumbencies(duties) on the said vehicle before selling,the taxes are being passed on to the buyer which is wrong. The right things must be done. We will chase government to act.”
The Association believes strict enforcement will not only protect licensed auctioneers but also promote transparency, accountability and revenue generation for the state.
Meanwhile, new national executives have been elected to steer the affairs of the Ghana Auctioneers Association and champion the interests of licensed auctioneers across the country.
By Yvonne Neequaye
