Prosecute Shell, Frimpps Oil, Goil and others for defrauding consumers – The requirements of CUTS Ghana

Photo: Appiah Kusi Adomako, Country Director, CUTS Ghana

CUTS Ghana, a think tank on research and advocacy policies urges the government to sue all found guilty of fraud gas pumps to serve their customers less than what they paid for.

Addressing a representative group of the press, CUTS Ghana's national director, Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, said that it was time for all oil distribution companies involved in such illegal activities and malicious acts are brought to justice. to dissuade others.

"The actions of these service stations are tantamount to theft, which is a criminal offense that can not be settled by imposing a fine. The 1960 Code of Criminal Procedure (Law 30) clearly states what should be done in such a case. To treat a criminal offense as a civil offense is not what the country has better. "

Criminal acts are prosecuted by the public prosecutor on behalf of the state. It is important that the Ghanaian police and authorities establish a prima facie case against these companies. The issue should not be left to the Ghana Standards Authority alone. The law clearly defines what needs to be done in this situation.

If we had to calculate how much these stations tore up the consumers who bought them fuel, it would shock the country. The fact that it would be difficult to compensate consumers who have been seduced by these harmful acts should not mean that fines should not be imposed on them. At least the fines can serve two purposes. First, it has a deterrent effect, and secondly, it uses the fund to pay the medical bills of uninsured accident victims.

CUTS Ghana fears that the only concern of the JI countries is to make profits illegally at the expense of their loyal customers.

According to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), these 10 service stations are: Shell (Highway Extension), Total (McCarthy Hill), GOIL (Mile 11); Frimps Oil (Tetegu Junction), GOIL (Galilea), Frimps Oil (Spintex Road), Glory Oil (Spintex Road), Allied Oil (Sakaman), Shell (Amanfrom West), Goodness Energy (Kasoa) have misled vehicle owners by -delivery.

CUTS Ghana calls on Parliament to speed up the adoption of the Consumer Protection Act in order to give consumers the right to bring actions in a similar situation.

CUTS Ghana commended the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) for undertaking these unannounced exercises and called for the exercise to be replicated in other parts of the country.