Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare at Abossey Okai
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has undertaken a working visit to the Abossey Okai Spare Parts market in Accra as part of government efforts to promote fair pricing, protect consumers and bring greater order to the auto parts trade.
The visit was aimed at assessing prevailing prices of vehicle spare parts and engaging directly with traders on operational challenges within the market, which plays a critical role in the transport and automotive value chain.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare was accompanied by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Clement Boateng.
As part of the engagement, the minister held a closed-door meeting with executives of the Spare Parts Dealers’ Association to receive first-hand briefings on market conditions, pricing trends and concerns affecting traders and consumers alike.
Addressing traders after the meeting, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the visit followed earlier discussions at the ministry, during which the stability and recent gains of the Ghanaian cedi were highlighted.
She stressed that improvements in the exchange rate must be reflected in the pricing of spare parts to ease pressure on transport costs and the general cost of living.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to fairness, transparency and consumer protection, particularly in sectors which pricing directly affects the daily lives of Ghanaians.
The President of the Abossey Okai Market Association, Henry Okyere Jnr., acknowledged that spare parts prices had fallen considerably in recent weeks but pointed to the activities of middlemen, popularly known as “Affairs”, as a persistent challenge.
He explained that these individuals often intercept vehicle owners and sell spare parts at inflated prices, creating the impression that traders within the market are overcharging.
He also noted that some automobile mechanics take advantage of unsuspecting customers by exaggerating the cost of parts.
In response, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare announced that government plans were underway to establish a police post at the entrance of the market to curb the activities of unscrupulous middlemen and improve security and order within the area.
However, she encouraged spare parts dealers to also explore ways of formally engaging and integrating some of these individuals into the market system to promote accountability and reduce abuse.
The minister commended traders for their cooperation and assured them of sustained government engagement, urging continued collaboration in support of the nation’s industrialisation and broader economic transformation agenda.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Accra disclosed that by the first week of February, a designated car park would be created along the Agbogbloshie stretch to decongest the Abossey Okai enclave.
He said the initiative would improve accessibility to the market and encourage vehicle owners to transact directly with shop owners, thereby reducing the influence of middlemen and enhancing transparency in pricing.
By Vera Owusu Sarpong