The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has held a five-day stakeholder engagement programme from Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24, 2026, on the implementation and enforcement of the National Vehicle Standards (NVS).
The event, which took place at the Standards Heights at Ridge in Accra, discussed reforms aimed at strengthening the implementation and enforcement of NVS as part of broader efforts to improve road safety, environmental and consumer protection and the development of Ghana’s automobile industry.
The programme brought together key stakeholders from relevant government institutions, security agencies, vehicle importers, and exporters associations, driver unions, and the media, to deliberate on strategies for the effective implementation and enforcement of the standards in Ghana.
It provided an interactive platform for stakeholders to share concerns, seek clarifications, and offer recommendations to support the smooth and effective implementation of the reforms.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the GSA, during the opening session, the Deputy Director-General responsible for Conformity Assessment (DDG-CAS), Mr. Kojo Eshun, expressed confidence in the commitment and capacity of stakeholders to support the Authority in executing its mandate.
He noted that GSA had been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the NVS regime and emphasized the critical role stakeholders would play in ensuring its success.
“In today’s engagement, our focus is on the implementation of existing Ghana Standards Authority standards applicable to the vehicle industry. We count on your support and collaboration to ensure these standards are effectively implemented to achieve the intended objectives,” he stated.
Mr. Eshun further highlighted the need for practical and coordinated approaches to strengthening implementation mechanisms and enhancing inter-agency collaboration to ensure effective enforcement.
As part of the engagement, the Head of the Vehicle Homologation Unit at GSA, Mr. Macmillan Prentice, delivered a presentation on the implementation and enforcement of the Standards. His presentation covered the implementation roadmap, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and the reforms being introduced across Ghana’s automotive sector.
He outlined measures aimed at improving the quality and safety of vehicles and vehicle parts, strengthening Ghana’s automobile value chain, and enhancing standards within the national automotive marketplace. He also highlighted key interventions, including the application of national vehicle standards, market surveillance and inspection programmes, and conformity assessment procedures for both new and used vehicles imported into the country.
During one of the sessions with importers and car dealers, they raised concerns about the influx of Chinese Vehicles into the country and called for government support to help regularize them so that they meet the standards and pay the necessary taxes and levies that they are supposed to pay.
The Vice President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Mr. Clement Boateng, who was also present at the meeting, commended the GSA for engaging various stakeholders on the subject but appealed that the Authority conveys their grievances to the Minister of Trade, while encouraging his members to support the GSA in carrying out its mandate.
Mr. Prentice announced that enforcement of the NVS programme is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2026.