By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Dec. 7, GNA – 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.
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.
“For four years, I have faced the same thing: ‘Where is the Ghanaian context?’ We need to understand and have a guide that speaks to our thoughts and our needs,” Dr. Kusi-Appiah said.
She said the book aimed to dismantle the feeling of helplessness felt by consumers facing systemic unfair market practices like “no return policies and poorly disclosed sales conditions.”
She said the book did not only analyse current laws, which were scattered across various statutory provisions and common law principles, but also made a compelling case for the immediate passage of the pending Consumer Protection Bill.
Dr. Kusi-Appiah stressed that the bill was necessary to empower our courts and our regulators and even consumers to enforce rights within Ghana and the wider AfCFTA sub-region.
She said the book signified a major contribution to legal literature, providing a foundational resource for policymakers, regulators, the judiciary, and citizens seeking fairness in transactions
Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director West-Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International, said there was a significant gap in designated academic literature concerning consumer protection in Ghana.
He said scholars and students had historically been forced to rely on English laws and foreign jurisdictions due to the absence of a comprehensive local resource.
“This gap highlights the problem of Ghana’s fragmented legal framework, where consumer rights are scattered across multiple, often antiquated, legislations,” he added.
Mr Adomako said beyond the content, the book had strong practical value and it was not only a legal text but also a manual for businesses, consumers, regulators, and policymakers.
He said it laid out clear rights, obligations, offences, and enforcement structures.
“It explains the limits of current laws and the risks of weak enforcement. It equips regulators and civil society with reference material,” he said.
The Director said it gives students and researchers a structured framework for the study of consumer protection.
“It supports businesses that want to comply with standards. It provides consumers with accurate information about their rights,” he added.
He said the book filled a major gap and the author had produced a comprehensive resource for training, advocacy, and policy reform.
He said given the shared background and continued work in shaping consumer protection in Ghana, “I see this book as an important milestone.”
Mr Adomako said the book adds to the academic literature and would also serve as a practical guide for the marketplace.
“It strengthens the call for the passage of a strong consumer protection law,” he added.
He recommended the book to regulators, policymakers, legal practitioners, business leaders, and every student of consumer law.
GNA
Christian Akorlie