Private legal practitioner and former Roads and Highways Minister, Inusah Fuseini, has advised Ghanaians never to purchase second-hand vehicles without spare keys and verified ownership documents.
Fuseini cautioned that failing to check these details could leave buyers exposed if the vehicles later turn out to be stolen.
He explained that criminals often exploit the time gap between a theft report abroad and shipment into Ghana, enabling stolen vehicles to slip through ports with legitimate-looking documents.
“Once duties are paid and shipment papers appear genuine, the authorities are satisfied. That is why it is vital for individuals to take verification seriously,” he said.
He identified two major red flags: missing titles and incomplete sets of keys. “The title is crucial, it shows the rightful owner, whether the vehicle was sold by auction or transfer. Without it, you are at risk. And if only one key is given while another remains with the previous owner, that should alert you that the rightful owner can easily track and reclaim the vehicle,” Fuseini noted.
He stressed that buying cars “off the street” without these checks amounts to irresponsibility. “You cannot just assume you are safe. The law will not protect you if it turns out to be stolen,” he added.
His caution comes as authorities raise concerns over an influx of stolen vehicles into Ghana, fuelling an underground market across the sub-region.
Fuseini urged buyers to be vigilant, insisting that thorough due diligence is the only way to protect themselves and sustain trust in the used-car market.
