By Prince Antwi
Copyright ghanaguardian
The Vehicle and Asset Dealers Association of Ghana (VADUG) has dismissed growing public perceptions that its members are complicit in the sale of stolen vehicles in the country.
The Association’s response follows intensified security operations this year, which have uncovered several stolen vehicles circulating on the Ghanaian market.
General Secretary of VADUG, Clifford Ansu, acknowledged that law enforcement agencies have the mandate to clamp down on stolen cars but stressed that the trend is unfairly tarnishing the reputation of legitimate dealers.
“How people perceive car dealers as being agents of stolen vehicles is not the best. We are not into selling stolen vehicles,” he said in an interview with Citi Business News.
He warned that such perceptions were undermining consumer trust and hurting the business of genuine operators. “When someone hears that the cars being sold are stolen, there is no way the person will want to make a purchase,” he added.
Mr. Ansu urged both the public and car dealers to exercise due diligence when buying or importing vehicles. He advised buyers to patronize recognized garages and verify the identity of sellers before committing to transactions.
“I am not saying buying cars online is wrong, but when you see one online, trace the seller and ensure you can identify a physical location to do business,” he noted.
Recent months have seen a crackdown on stolen vehicles in Ghana. In August, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service reported the recovery of 43 high-value luxury vehicles between January and July 2025.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has also identified luxury brands such as Range Rovers and Dodge models among the most intercepted, following joint operations with Interpol and other international partners.
These findings highlight Ghana’s growing profile as a destination for stolen cars, particularly from North America, raising pressure on authorities and dealers alike to tighten safeguards.
