The Automobile Dealers Union Ghana (ADUG) has threatened to stage a massive demonstration to protest against the government’s intention to ban the importation of some category of second-hand and salvaged vehicles into the country.
The Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu recently disclosed plans to put in place a regulatory framework for the importation of ‘second-hand’ and salvaged vehicles.
He said they would do this through the Customs Amendment Bill which is on the agenda of Parliament for consideration.
The General Secretary of the Automobile Dealers Union Ghana, Clifford Ansu, in a Citi News interview said the date for the demonstration will be known by next Monday should the government fail to address their concerns.
“We want him [Majority Leader] to come out and tell us why he said the cars we import into this country cause accident on our roads. We are going to do a demonstration exercise to kick against that ban in Parliament. Within a few days time, from now up to Monday we expect to hear positive news from them [government] and if we don’t receive that, then we start from there.”
Background
Parliament is set to put in place a regulatory framework for the importation of second-hand and salvaged vehicles.
This will be done through the Customs Amendment Bill which is on the agenda of the House for consideration.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu indicated that such a regime is necessary for the emerging automobile industry. He made this known at an encounter with the media earlier this month.
“For a start maybe we may begin by banning the importation of vehicles that are older than 10 years and then also prevent the import of salvaged vehicles,” he said.
Though the data says otherwise, the Majority Leader said these imported vehicles “are the reasons why we have so many accidents on our roads.”
Data from the National Road Safety Authority indicates that in 2018, inattention by drivers led to 41.8 percent of deaths on the country’s roads whilst speeding led to 26.8 percent of deaths recorded.
