The Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) has distanced itself from recent reports linking the automobile trade to the importation and sale of stolen vehicles in the country.
The statement comes amid growing concerns following a series of high-profile cases, including the interrogation of dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). Shatta Wale was questioned over a Lamborghini Urus allegedly tied to a $4 million fraud case under investigation by U.S. authorities. He claimed to have purchased the vehicle “off the street” from an individual known only as “ZAK,” but has not provided ownership documents beyond a customs declaration linked to one Amuah.
EOCO has also revealed that Honda CR-Vs, Ford F-150s, Range Rovers, and Dodge models are among the most intercepted vehicles in its anti-smuggling operations. The agency’s crackdown forms part of an international collaboration with law enforcement bodies, including Interpol, which has previously flagged Ghana as an emerging hub for stolen vehicles trafficked from North America.
In a statement signed by President General Bernard Ntrekwah on Monday, August 25, VADUG expressed alarm over the trend, warning that it poses a risk to Ghana’s international reputation and the credibility of the second-hand automobile industry.
“As direct stakeholders, we see it as a national duty to work with the authorities to find lasting solutions to this unfortunate situation,” the Union noted.
VADUG emphasized that it upholds ethical standards in vehicle acquisition, transportation, and sales, and rejected any association with individuals or garages found complicit in the illicit trade.
“We completely disassociate ourselves from anyone identified as a car dealer but involved in this global menace,” the statement stressed, pledging full cooperation with investigative and anti-corruption agencies.
The Union further appealed to customs and security officers at Ghana’s ports and border posts to act with professionalism in detecting and blocking illegal imports. It also pledged to support national initiatives aimed at public education on proper processes and best practices in the automotive sector.
Concluding its statement, VADUG called on regulators and enforcement bodies to strengthen collaboration with the Union in safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s automobile trade.
