We’re ready to fix the loopholes – Parliament pledges support for Auto Industry

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism visited key industrial zones. They included Rana Motors in their tour. The goal was to engage with successful businesses. They aimed to explore how government policy can support the automotive assembly industry.

This visit is part of the Committee’s efforts to assess industry operations. They want to listen to challenges and recommend practical solutions for Parliament. At Rana Motors, Mr. Kassem M. Odaymat welcomed the delegation warmly. He is the Chief Operating Officer and President of the Ghana Automobile Distributors Association.

Mr. Odaymat shared insights about operational hurdles faced by assemblers. He highlighted issues with policy enforcement that affect their work. He raised concerns about inconsistencies in vehicle homologation by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). While new vehicles meet certification requirements, used vehicles often do not.

“This creates an uneven playing field,” he explained. New vehicles undergo extensive checks, while many second-hand imports do not meet standards. This situation undermines efforts and slows down industry growth.

He also discussed the industry's transition from Semi Knocked Down (SKD) to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) production. This shift requires significant infrastructure and support for success.

Honorable Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze, Chairman of the Committee, praised Rana Motors' contributions to Ghana’s development. He encouraged them to showcase their products more widely for better visibility.

“We’re taking notes of your issues,” Hon. Hottordze assured them. “We know where the loopholes are and will address them.” He promised that their concerns would be included in a report for Parliament.

He reminded businesses of their duty to comply with laws and pay taxes. Both government and industry must work together for a stronger economy.