New Book to Bridge Scholarly Gap in Ghana’s Consumer Protection Law Launched

Accra: A new book has been launched to address the long-standing scholarly and practical gap in Ghana's consumer protection landscape. Authored by Dr. Francisca Kusi-Appiah, a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies Law School, the book titled: 'Consumer Rights and Justice in Ghana: A Legal Compass' was designed as a practical, accessible guide to empower every Ghanaian from the corporate executive to the market woman to know and enforce their rights in the marketplace. According to Ghana News Agency, the author said her primary motivation was the absence of a comprehensive local textbook for law students studying consumer protection, although these courses were currently offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Kusi-Appiah emphasized the need for a guide that speaks to the Ghanaian context, challenging the pervasive feeling of helplessness among consumers facing unfair market practices. The book not only analyzes current laws, which are scattered across various statutory provisions and common law principles, but also makes a compelling case for the immediate passage of the pending Consumer Protection Bill. Dr. Kusi-Appiah highlighted the necessity of the bill, which would empower courts, regulators, and consumers to enforce rights within Ghana and the wider AfCFTA sub-region. Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West-Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International, noted the significant gap in academic literature concerning consumer protection in Ghana. Scholars and students have had to rely on English laws and foreign jurisdictions due to the absence of a comprehensive local resource. He pointed out that the book serves as both a legal text and a manual, offering clear rights, obligations, offences, and enforcement structures. The book equips regulators and civil society with reference material, providing students with a structured framework for the study of consumer protection. It also supports businesses in complying with standards and provides consumers with accurate information about their rights. Mr. Adomako praised the book as a comprehensive resource for training, advocacy, and policy reform, marking an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance consumer protection in Ghana. He recommended the book to regulators, policymakers, legal practitioners, business leaders, and students of consumer law, emphasizing its role in strengthening the call for a strong consumer protection law.