Following recent comment by the Majority Leader and minister for parliamentary affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu that second-hand imported or salvaged vehicles are the causes of road accidents hence the need to ban them, Automobile Dealers Union Ghana (ADUG), has described his comment as misguided.

Addressing the media in Accra, president of the union, Eric Kwaku Boateng said the Union was not against assembling of vehicles in Ghana as proposed by Government, but insisted road accidents were caused by several factors such as bad roads.

On 7th February 2020, Hon. Mensah Bonsu during an encounter with the media at parliament house announced that some automoblie manufacturing companies such as Nissan, Toyota among others have expressed interest to establish assembling outlets in Ghana.

The union therefore asked Mensah Bonsu to provide scientific evidence to support his claim if he has any contrary view.

“Since when did he realise that flooded, salvaged or accident and second hand vehicles are the causes of numerous accident on our roads. Was any scientific analysis conducted by any recognised Institution or what empirical evidence does he have to support his assertion? We want to know."

The union also described as false, statement by the Majority Leader that used vehicles cost about $10,000 which is far more cheaper than brand new vehicles.

It said: "Where can you purchase a brand new vehicle which is cheaper than a used vehicle, that is not true. Aside that, Government raises revenue for development from the importation of these vehicles into the country."

The president also attributed the action to ban salvaged or second-hand vehicles to the intended plans by government to establish vehicle assemblies in Ghana.

He said: "So if these companies had not expressed interest to set their outlets, government wouldn’t have thought of amending the customs bill to regulate the importation of accident or salvaged and second hand vehicles?
Are we cleaning the environment because auto manufacturers have expressed interest in assembling the vehicles in Ghana?"

The union also asked government to provide alternative means of transportation if imported second hand vehicles are banned as they are used to carry foodstuffs from the hinterlands to the cities.

He also asked if the Majority Leader could define what these salvaged cars are as vehicles involved in accident could only have a small part broken.”forexample if head lights of vehicles are broken, or a vehicle’s fender is broken, is it also a salvaged vehicle? He quizzed.

The union therefore asked the majority leader to channel his concerns to the Driver and vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA),mandated by law to check the road Worthiness of vehicles rather than shifting the blame of accidents on roads to second hand imported vehicles and also retract his comment as lacking any merits.

Mr Boateng further advised Government to consult them to also offer their knowledge and expertise as partners in development in the transport sector.