A group calling itself the Concerned Importers of Vehicles has threatened to storm the Jubilee House over what it describes as persistent manipulation of the ages of imported vehicles at Ghana’s ports.

The group alleges that, despite existing regulations, some importers are still able to alter the manufacturing years of vehicles imported from Japan and Dubai to evade penalties imposed on over-aged vehicles.

Speaking to the media on January 25, 2026, a leading member of the group, Fredericka Ackah, said importers were assured in 2025 that the ages of vehicles imported from the two countries would no longer be reduced.

However, she claims the practice continues, benefiting a few individuals.

“Last year, in 2025, we were told that importers bringing in cars from Japan and Dubai should not have the ages reduced, but some people are still doing it.

Recently, a friend of mine imported vehicles from Japan; the ages of some were reduced while others were not,” she said.

According to Ackah, the inconsistencies have created confusion within the importers’ community and opened the door to corruption at the ports.

She warned that if the situation is not addressed promptly, the group will escalate the matter to the Presidency.

“The Commissioner should take action, or we will storm the Jubilee House to report what is going on at the Ports and Harbours,” she stated.

Miss Ackah further alleged that some vehicles manufactured in 2007 or 2008 have had their years altered to appear as 2011 or 2013, enabling importers to bypass over-age penalties.

The group has called on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to intensify inspections at the ports to curb the alleged practice.

“There is a lot of confusion among importers. If the age can be reduced, people will take their vehicles to others who can do it for them just to dodge the over-age penalty.

DVLA should be vigilant and ensure that any vehicle whose age has been reduced is thoroughly checked,” she said.

She added that the group possesses documents to support claims that the ages of some imported vehicles have been manipulated.

Ghana currently bans the importation of salvaged vehicles and used vehicles older than ten years under the Customs (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The law was passed by Parliament in March 2020 and assented to by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 30, 2020.

Under Section 154(5) of the Act, the prohibition took effect six months after presidential assent, in October 2020. The policy is aimed at promoting a viable market for vehicles manufactured or assembled locally, while providing import-duty rebates to companies that establish vehicle manufacturing or assembly plants in Ghana as part of broader industrialisation and job-creation efforts.