Among the key changes are the permission for right-hand-drive vehicles under a regulated conversion system and the extension of the vehicle age limit from 10 years to 15 years.
Accra, Ghana – 14 August 2026 — The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has issued a new Public Notice establishing the administrative implementation framework for the enforcement of Ghana's national vehicle standards from 1 October 2026.
The notice provides important clarity for vehicle importers, distributors, dealers and other stakeholders ahead of the commencement of the new requirements for imported used vehicles.
Under the framework, used vehicles must be inspected in their country of origin by a GSA-approved third-party inspection body before shipment to Ghana, with a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) issued to confirm that each vehicle meets the applicable Ghana Standards.
The GSA has also directed new vehicle importers, distributors, manufacturers and assemblers, as well as used vehicle importers, distributors and dealers, to register with the GSA Vehicle Homologation Unit (GSA Auto Unit).
Vehicles Prohibited Under the New Framework
The Public Notice identifies categories of used vehicles that will be prohibited from importation into Ghana from the implementation date.
These include vehicles that are:
- Submerged in water or flood-damaged;
- Burnt or damaged by fire;
- Suffering from chassis or safety-cage damage, including broken, cracked, bent or twisted structures;
- Assembled from spare parts;
- Without speedometer readings in kilometres per hour; and
- More than fifteen (15) years old.
The introduction of the 15-year age limit, together with the prohibition of severely damaged and unsafe vehicles, represents an important development in Ghana's efforts to improve the quality and safety of vehicles entering the country.
Omanbapa's Commitment to Quality Assurance
The announcement further reinforces the importance of the work being undertaken by Omanbapa Auto & PVoC Ltd. as Ghana prepares to strengthen its vehicle conformity assessment and inspection regime.
Through its engagement in the PVoC ecosystem and collaboration with international technical partners, Omanbapa is positioned to contribute to a more structured and transparent process for verifying vehicles before they are shipped to Ghana.
The objective is not simply to increase inspection, but to ensure that vehicles entering the Ghanaian market meet established safety and quality requirements before they leave their country of origin.
This approach is expected to provide greater protection for Ghanaian consumers while supporting legitimate vehicle importers and dealers who comply with national standards.
Transitional Arrangements
The GSA has clarified that vehicles shipped before 1 October 2026 will not be affected by the new import requirements, even if they arrive in Ghana after the implementation date. Vehicles already in Ghana before the implementation date are similarly exempt.
The GSA has encouraged all stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the applicable requirements and take the necessary compliance measures before importing vehicles into Ghana.
The new Public Notice supersedes the previous GSA/DGS/PN/26/08 communication on the subject.
Source: Ghana Standards Authority, Public Notice No. GSA/DGS/PN/26/09, issued 14 August 2026.
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