Retired Supreme Court Judge and Board Chairman of CUTS International, Justice Dotse, has called on the government to pass the long-overdue Consumer Protection Bill into law within the year.

Speaking at the World Consumer Rights Day and Launch of the State of the Ghanaian Consumer Report 2025 in Accra on Wednesday, March 19, Justice Dotse emphasised the importance of consumer rights as a vital extension of justice, impacting every household, business, and community.

“As a retired judge of the supreme court, I have spent decades upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the lives of Ghanaians. Today, I see consumer rights as an extension of that mission, a fundamental pillar of justice that touches every household, every business, and every community,” he stated.

Justice Dotse highlighted the interconnected nature of society, where individuals and organizations alike rely on each other’s services.

He provided examples, such as the reliance of the Electoral Commission’s Commissioner on MTN’s data services and potable water, or the MTN CEO’s dependence on Ghana Water Company and safer roads.

“Whether you are a service provider or a regulator, the least common denominator is that we are all consumers of each other’s products or services,” he added.

He stressed that the Consumer Protection Bill would provide a unified framework to safeguard consumer rights, address regulatory gaps, and empower citizens to hold service providers accountable.

Justice Dotse described the absence of such legislation as a “glaring void” in Ghana’s legal system and urged its prompt enactment.

“Its enactment is a step we can no longer delay,” he added.