Protecting Consumers, Promoting Competition”: Ghana to Enact New Law with ECOWAS 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.