BY ERIC ASARE
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, on Monday, 12 January 2026, paid a working visit to the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Market in Accra as part of governments efforts to promote fair pricing and protect consumers in the auto parts sector.
The visit was intended to assess prevailing prices of vehicle spare parts and to engage traders on challenges affecting their operations. The Minister was accompanied by the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the President of the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA), Mr. Clement Boateng.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare held a closed-door meeting with executives of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association to obtain first-hand information on market conditions.
Addressing the traders, the Minister explained that the visit followed an earlier engagement held at the Ministry, during which discussions focused on the improved stability of the Ghanaian cedi and the need for traders to reflect the currencys stronger performance in their pricing. She reaffirmed governments commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in the pricing of goods, particularly commodities that directly influence transport costs and the general cost of living.
The President of the Abossey Okai Market Association, Mr. Henry Okyere Jnr., acknowledged that spare parts prices had declined significantly in recent weeks. However, he identified the activities of middlemen popularly known as Affairs as a major challenge.
According to him, these individuals often intercept car owners and sell spare parts at inflated prices, creating the false impression that Abossey Okai traders are overpricing their goods. He further noted that some automobile fitters exploit unsuspecting customers by exaggerating the cost of parts.
In response, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare outlined governments plans to establish a police post at the entrance of the market to clamp down on the activities of some unscrupulous middlemen. She also urged spare parts dealers to explore ways of formally integrating and employing some of these individuals to promote order, accountability and transparency within the market.
The Minister commended the spare parts dealers for their cooperation and assured them of governments continued engagement, urging sustained collaboration in support of Ghanas industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
For his part, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, announced that by the first week of February 2026, government would create a designated car park along the Agbogbloshie stretch to help decongest the Abossey Okai area. He noted that the move would improve accessibility and encourage car owners to transact directly with shop owners.
