The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has announced that from October 1, 2026, all imported vehicles must undergo mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) inspections before shipment to Ghana, in a major move aimed at eliminating unsafe and substandard vehicles from the country’s roads.
The new regime, which enforces compliance with GS 4510—the national standard for used vehicle imports—is expected to tighten regulations in the automotive sector, improve consumer protection, and enhance road safety.
Under the programme, vehicles deemed unfit for import will be denied entry into Ghana. These include flood-damaged vehicles, burnt cars, and those with compromised chassis or safety cages, such as broken, bent, cracked, or twisted structural components.
The standard also prohibits the importation of originally manufactured right-hand-drive vehicles, vehicles assembled from spare parts, those without speedometers calibrated in kilometres per hour, and vehicles older than 10 years.
According to the GSA, the initiative seeks to stop Ghana from becoming a destination for automotive waste while ensuring that imported vehicles meet the country’s safety and environmental standards.
Deputy Director-General for General Services at the GSA, Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, said stakeholder concerns that initially delayed the programme’s implementation have now largely been resolved.
“We are trying to close a major loophole where our country becomes a dumping ground for automotive waste that endangers lives and causes environmental harm,” he said after a stakeholder engagement.
He stressed that while severely damaged vehicles will be prohibited, those that can be repaired to meet roadworthiness standards may still be considered for import, subject to inspection by accredited third-party assessors.
“We will not compromise on flooded or burnt vehicles. These are non-negotiable,” he added.
In a related development, the GSA is set to roll out the Vehicle Dealer Information System (VEDIS), a digital platform that will connect databases from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), insurance providers, Interpol, National Security, and other agencies.
The system is expected to provide real-time information on vehicles entering the country, helping authorities detect stolen vehicles and ensure only roadworthy vehicles are registered.
Officials believe the combined implementation of PVoC and VEDIS will formalise Ghana’s used-vehicle market, improve access to financing, boost investor confidence, and contribute significantly to reducing road crashes across the country.
