Members of the Vehicle Import Dealers Association of Ghana, shippers, and freight forwarders are urging the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to reconsider or suspend the mandatory PVoC programme for imported vehicles. The programme, which took effect on October 1, 2026, requires used vehicles destined for Ghana to undergo conformity verification before shipment from the country of origin. This process aims to ensure that vehicles comply with applicable Ghanaian standards, including GS 4510.
The stakeholders are demanding broader consultations with industry players, arguing that the implementation of the new regime could have significant implications for vehicle importation and businesses operating within the automotive trade. They propose an alternative arrangement under which imported used and salvaged vehicles would be inspected by the GSA at Ghana's ports of entry. This, they believe, would enable the GSA to directly assess vehicles arriving in Ghana while creating an opportunity for closer engagement between the regulator, importers, shippers, and other stakeholders.
The concerns about the PVoC programme are not only being raised by Ghanaian industry players but also by some vehicle shippers operating in the United States. The new requirements have created uncertainty for vehicles being prepared for export to Ghana, particularly where the required conformity verification has not been completed. The change is significant because the inspection requirement moves an important part of the compliance process from Ghana's ports to the country of origin.
Industry players say this shift could affect the ability of some exporters and shipping companies to load vehicles for Ghana until the necessary conformity requirements have been satisfied. The new regime has therefore become a concern for businesses involved in the Ghana-U.S. vehicle trade, with stakeholders calling for clearer procedures and greater engagement between the GSA and industry. The Vehicle Import Dealers Association of Ghana has also raised concerns about the potential impact of the policy on the volume of vehicles imported into the country and the wider automotive trade.
The association argues that if the policy is not carefully reviewed, some businesses could face difficulties in continuing their operations. The stakeholders are consequently calling for a system that protects consumers and ensures compliance with safety standards while taking into account the operational realities of importers, freight forwarders, and international vehicle shippers. They are also seeking greater clarity on the inspection process, certification requirements, and how the programme will be implemented across different vehicle-exporting countries.
The Ghana Standards Authority maintains that the PVoC programme is intended to ensure that vehicles imported into Ghana meet the country's applicable standards before they are shipped. The GSA has worked with designated inspection partners to commence pre-shipment inspections and the issuance of Certificates of Conformity for vehicles exported to Ghana. Despite the GSA's position, industry stakeholders want further consultations before the new system is fully entrenched.
The stakeholders are urging Parliament, the GSA, and other relevant authorities to engage vehicle importers, dealers, shippers, and freight forwarders to address concerns surrounding the programme. Their objective is not to undermine vehicle safety standards but to ensure that the conformity assessment regime is practical, transparent, and does not unnecessarily disrupt the vehicle importation and shipping industry.
Key points
- The new PVoC regime requires used vehicles destined for Ghana to undergo conformity verification before shipment from the country of origin.
- Industry stakeholders are proposing an alternative arrangement for inspecting vehicles at Ghana's ports of entry.
- The stakeholders are calling for greater clarity on the inspection process, certification requirements, and implementation of the programme across different vehicle-exporting countries.
