A planned demonstration at the Jubilee House has been announced by a group known as the Concerned Importers of Vehicles following claims that the ages of imported vehicles are being manipulated at Ghana’s ports.
The group says gaps in enforcement continue to allow some importers to alter the stated ages of vehicles brought in from Japan and Dubai in order to avoid penalties on over-aged cars.
Speaking to the media on January 25, 2026, a leading member of the group, Fredericka Ackah, said importers were assured last year that the ages of vehicles from Japan and Dubai would no longer be reduced, but some individuals are still benefiting from the practice.
“Last year, in 2025, we were told that importers bringing in cars from Japan and Dubai should not have the ages reduced, but some people are still doing it. Recently, a friend of mine imported vehicles from Japan; the ages of some were reduced while others were not,” she said.
She said the lack of consistency has caused uncertainty among vehicle importers and created opportunities for corrupt practices.
Ackah cautioned that the group would take the matter to the Presidency if the issue remains unresolved.
“The Commissioner should take action or we will storm the Jubilee House to report what is going on at the Ports and Harbours,” she stated.
She claimed that vehicles produced in 2007 or 2008 are sometimes recorded as 2011 or 2013, enabling importers to avoid penalties for over-aged cars.
The group has therefore urged the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to strengthen inspections at the ports to stop the practice.
“There is a lot of confusion among importers. If the age can be reduced, people will take their vehicles to others who can do it for them just to dodge the over-age penalty. DVLA should be vigilant and ensure that any vehicle whose age has been reduced is thoroughly checked,” Ackah said.
She noted that the group possesses documents supporting their claim that the ages of some imported vehicles have been altered.
Ghana currently prohibits the import of salvaged vehicles and used cars over ten years old. This restriction is outlined in the Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020, which Parliament passed in March 2020 and which was signed into law by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 30, 2020.
Under Section 154 (5) of the Act, the ban took effect six months after the presidential assent, starting in October 2020.
The rule is intended to encourage a viable market for vehicles manufactured or assembled in Ghana. It also offers import-duty incentives to companies that set up local vehicle production or assembly plants, supporting the government’s goals of industrialisation and job creation.
In 2024, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), alongside the Association of Customs House Agents of Ghana, Freight Forwarders Association ofGhana, and Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, in collaboration with various trade groups and manufacturers, are protesting against what they label as exploitative actions by shipping lines operating in the country.
Also participating are the Ghana Union of Traders Association, EXIM Frozen Foods Association of Ghana, and the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana.
They are marching through Tema, submitting petitions to the Ministries of Transport, Trade, Finance, and other key bodies, urging immediate regulatory intervention.
GIFF asserts that these unregulated practices have severely harmed the logistics industry and the broader Ghanaian economy.
“Shipping lines have operated with impunity for too long, imposing unjustifiable costs that harm freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and ultimately consumers,” said a spokesperson for GIFF.
The group highlighted that these charges, when combined with delays and inefficiencies, inflate the cost of doing business and contribute to Ghana’s weakened foreign exchange position.
The protest also seeks to address a practice in which shipping lines, contrary to the Customs Act of 2015, are engaging in customs brokerage, sidelining freight forwarders and monopolizing services in a manner that the association views as anti-competitive.
Some of the clearing agents told 3news.com that many of their mates have folded up with many more of the getting out of business.
“The shipping lines now engage our clients behind us making us lose our business”.
The group has served notice of another massive protest towards the presidency in 14 days if their concerns are not addressed.
