CACIT Ghana Position Statement

The Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade, Ghana (CACIT, Ghana) acknowledges that competition is healthy as it offers consumers choice and forces local industries to be more efficient and effective.  However, over the last few years, there has been an alarming increase in the incidence of dumping, presence of smuggled, under-invoiced, counterfeit and pirated, and sub-standard products on the Ghanaian market which do not meet prescribed Ghanaian standards.  These activities have an adverse impact on the following five key stakeholders in our society:

Consumers: Because counterfeit/substandard products deceive consumers into thinking they are buying genuine products, and thus pose serious safety and health treats for the population.

Local Industry and Traders: Because such products unfairly undermine legitimate local industries and traders.  IN addition, the ingredients and raw materials used to manufacture counterfeit products are usually substandard and can result in a backlash against the genuine manufacturer or trader in the event of any adverse reaction by a consumer to a counterfeit product.

Employment and Workers: Because declines in local industries and enterprises inevitably results in job losses.

Government: Because most of these products are manufactured or brought into the country through unapproved routes and the perpetrators by their nature seek not to pay taxes.  Declines in legitimate industries and trading activity also result in a reduction in tax revenues for the government.

The Image and Reputation of Ghana: Because the perception of a weak regulatory regime in any country towards counterfeit and pirated products, illicit trade, and intellectual property increases the prevalence of such activities.  This, in turn, acts as a disincentive to potential investors seeking to do legitimate business in Ghana at a time when we are encouraging a “golden age of business”.

The Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade, Ghana (CACIT, Ghana) submits that a failure to take concerted action will have a negative spiralling economic, financial and social impact on the country.  CACIT, Ghana wants to help create a more conducive operating environment where legitimate trade can thrive for Ghanaian and foreign investors alike.