The Vehicle Import Dealers Association of Ghana has welcomed the Ghana Standards Authority’s (GSA) decision to suspend the implementation of the mandatory pre-shipment inspection policy for imported used vehicles.
The GSA announced the suspension in a public notice dated Monday, October 5, 2026, signed by its Director-General, Professor George Agyei.
The Authority said a new implementation date would be communicated in due course but did not state the reason for the suspension.
Reacting to the decision, the Vehicle Import Dealers Association of Ghana, led by its President, Humphrey Datsomor, expressed gratitude to the government, the GSA and other stakeholders who supported the suspension.
In a statement, the Association described the suspension as a “major milestone” and said it provides an opportunity for a thorough review of the policy and the development of what it described as a more appropriate implementation framework.
The Association clarified that it is not opposed to the objectives of the policy, particularly measures aimed at improving safety and standards within Ghana’s automotive industry.
However, it said it opposes an implementation model that, in its view, increases the cost of doing business, places additional burdens on local vehicle importers and could affect trade.
The Association also called for engagement among industry players, policymakers and other stakeholders following the suspension.
It said such discussions should focus on developing a framework that promotes local job creation, protects Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and avoids unnecessary increases in the cost of doing business.
The Association further expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and Professor George Agyei for what it described as their responsiveness to concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
The GSA’s pre-shipment inspection policy was scheduled to take effect from October 1, 2026, under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme.
The policy requires imported used vehicles to undergo conformity checks before shipment to Ghana, with the GSA saying the broader initiative is intended to ensure imported vehicles meet Ghana’s safety and technical standards.
Vehicle import dealers, shippers and freight forwarders had previously called for the policy to be suspended or reconsidered and proposed that inspections instead be conducted at Ghana’s ports of entry.
With the implementation now suspended, the industry is calling for further consultations on the policy and its eventual framework.
The GSA is yet to announce a new date for implementation.
GSA’s ban on importation of vehicles over 15 years old takes effect October 1
