The government is set to revise legislation concerning salvaged vehicles as part of a broader effort to enhance the standards and safety of used vehicles in Ghana.
Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, speaking at the opening of a new Foton truck showroom in Tema, announced that the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) will lead the process to define and regulate the importation of salvaged vehicles. The initiative is aimed at improving consumer protection, vehicle safety, and overall quality control in the automotive sector.
“The Ghana Standards Authority will be spearheading the implementation of used vehicle standards, which includes the implementation of the guidelines on salvaged vehicles,” Minister Ofuswejari stated. “We are amending the law on salvaged vehicles.”
Currently, Ghana’s legal framework governing salvaged vehicles is anchored in the Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020, which prohibits the importation of salvaged motor vehicles. These include vehicles that are wrecked, destroyed, or significantly damaged by collision, fire, or flooding. The law, which came into effect on November 1, 2020, was introduced to address the growing concerns over unsafe vehicles on Ghanaian roads.
Complementing this law, the Ghana Standard GS 4510:2022, issued by the GSA, sets detailed requirements for the safety and inspection of used vehicles entering the country. It bars the importation of vehicles older than 10 years from the date of manufacture and salvaged vehicles with significant structural damage. Since January 1, 2023, importers are also required to present a Certificate of Conformance (CoC), proving compliance with the standard.
While these regulations were introduced to enhance roadworthiness and environmental standards, concerns from industry stakeholders, particularly artisans and traders involved in refurbishing used vehicles, have prompted the government to revisit the law.
The Ministry of Trade has since begun consultations with groups such as the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organization (SMIDO) to find a balance between safety enforcement and the economic realities of the automotive trade.
The revised legislation is expected to offer clearer definitions of what qualifies as a salvaged vehicle and outline conditions under which such vehicles may be imported, refurbished, and sold. It will also strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent substandard vehicles from entering the Ghanaian market.
Aside from the legislative reforms on salvaged vehicles, the Minister also revealed that government plans are underway to review the Ghana Automotive Development Policy, with a specific focus on electric vehicles (EVs).
The Minister explained that the move aims to position Ghana as a competitive destination for investment in the fast-growing EV sector and to align national policy with evolving global trends in sustainable transportation.
“The automotive industry is ready for investment, and the E-Vehicle investment is also ready,” she said. “We are creating an enabling environment for businesses in the automotive industry to thrive, and we are doing this by reviewing the automotive policy that we have in Ghana.”
“When we first developed the policy five years ago, electric vehicles weren’t as prominent. Now, we are amending the law to include E-Vehicles, E-Bicycles, and E-Tricycles. This will ensure that subsidies and tax waivers are extended to E-Tricycles and E-Motors as well.”
She added that the government would soon begin stakeholder consultations to integrate electric mobility into the broader 24-hour economy strategy. Upcoming amendments will also cover component manufacturing and provide a clearer regulatory framework to support EV-related businesses.
