Ghana to Enact Competition and Consumer protection Law as ECOWAS Pledges Support
The ECOWAS Regional Competition
Authority (ERCA) has pledged its full support for the implementation of Competition
and Consumer Protection Law as part of efforts to get all member states to move
the initiative forward
11-member high-powered
delegation from the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority disclosed this when
they paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry,
Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare in Accra on Tuesday 9th September to
discuss potential areas of collaboration and provide updates on ERCA’s
engagements with member states.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare receiving the delegation
commended ERCA for its continuous work in strengthening competition regulation
and promoting market fairness within the ECOWAS sub-region.
She assured the
delegation of her Ministry’s readiness to collaborate closely with the
Authority and other ECOWAS institutions to tackle cross-border trade and
competition issues that affect economic growth and consumer welfare.
“The proposed policy forms part
of the next phase of Ghana’s trade agenda, which seeks to enhance
competitiveness and ensure that both businesses and consumers benefit from fair
market practices,” she noted.
Leading the ERCA delegation,
Executive Director Dr. Simeon Konan Koffi explained that the visit was part of
the Authority’s regional outreach to engage governments on the importance of
competition and consumer protection frameworks.
He emphasized that ERCA remains
committed to supporting member states in creating a level playing field that
encourages investment, economic efficiency, and consumer welfare.
“We are confident that under
your leadership, meaningful and positive changes will occur toward the adoption
of national competition laws and the establishment of a fully functional
competition authority in Ghana,” he said.
Also in attendance was the
Chairperson of ERCA, Dr. Juliette Twumasi-Anokye, who congratulated Hon.
Ofosu-Adjare on her appointment as Minister.
She reaffirmed ERCA’s commitment
to assisting ECOWAS member states in fulfilling their obligations under Article
3 of Supplementary Act A/SA.3/12/21, which requires member countries to adopt
competition legislation and establish independent national competition
authorities.
Dr. Twumasi-Anokye highlighted
the increasing urgency for competition regulation amid globalization and
digital transformation, noting that the growing presence of multinational
corporations and rising consumer concerns demand robust frameworks to promote
fair trade and protect consumers from anti-competitive behavior.
She emphasized that ERCA’s
regional and continental initiatives are designed to complement national
efforts by fostering cooperation and coordination in addressing cross-border
competition challenges.
The meeting concluded with both
parties reaffirming their commitment to deepen collaboration aimed at creating
a transparent, competitive, and investor-friendly business environment across
the ECOWAS region.
