Seminar on Competition Policy and Law Held in Accra

March 29, 2026

Accra, Ghana, 29 March 2026: A one day seminar focused on competition economics, policy and law has taken place in Accra. The seminar was attended by legal and consumer representatives from public and private organisations across various industries, as well as some members of the judiciary. It was organised by the Competition and Markets Centre, with competition law experts from King’s College delivering the lecture.

Opening the seminar, Benson Nutsukpui, Managing Partner of Kuenyehia and Nutsukpui and a former President of the Ghana Bar Association, underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and coherent competition law framework in Ghana. He described the current regulatory regime as fragmented, relying on scattered statutes and sector specific mandates, which are inadequate for addressing complex market dynamics such as cartels, abuse of dominance and merger control. Drawing from practical experience, he cited the prolonged litigation between Internet Ghana Limited and Ghana Telecom as evidence of the inefficiencies created by the absence of a dedicated competition authority, noting that such disputes could have been resolved more effectively within a structured regime.

He stated that Ghana currently lacks a coherent, economy wide competition statute that systematically addresses cartels, abuse of dominance and merger control, resulting in a framework that is inadequate for a modern market economy. He further emphasised that Ghana is at a pivotal policy stage, with a draft Competition Policy and Bill yet to be enacted, offering stakeholders a crucial opportunity to help shape a strong and future proof framework.

Highlighting the importance of clarity in legal drafting, he warned against poorly structured provisions, noting that a competition regime that departs from established principles could produce outcomes that harm the very markets it seeks to protect. He also referenced regional developments, including the AfCFTA Protocol on Competition Policy, stressing the need for alignment to prevent Ghanaian businesses from being placed at a disadvantage. He described the seminar as a timely platform for collaboration among legal, economic and regulatory stakeholders and expressed confidence that such engagements would lead to meaningful reforms.

The keynote speaker, Dr Juliet Twumasi-Anokye, who chairs the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority’s decision making Council, placed the discussion within Ghana’s regional and continental commitments. She noted that both the ECOWAS Treaty and the African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol on Competition Policy make coherent domestic enforcement essential.

She explained that competition law is fundamentally about protecting the process of competition rather than individual competitors, ensuring that markets remain open, dynamic and innovative. She added that for Ghana, competition law is not only a legal or economic matter but also a key developmental priority.

Dr Juliet Twumasi-Anokye highlighted the risks associated with fragmented oversight and the growing complexity of digital markets. She emphasised that effective enforcement requires more than legislation, including skilled professionals, economic expertise, judicial understanding and strong investigative tools, and called for sustained investment in capacity building.

Peter Alexiadis, Visiting Professor at King’s College London and former Partner in Charge of Gibson Dunn and Crutcher’s Brussels office, addressed technical gaps in the draft Bill, particularly in relation to intellectual property rights and the definition of market power. He stressed that departing from internationally accepted methodologies could produce harmful outcomes for markets.

David Bailey KC, Professor of Practice Law at King’s College London and Standing Counsel to the UK Competition and Markets Authority, underscored the importance of aligning Ghana’s framework with evolving global practices, especially in digital markets. He called for a balanced regime that ensures effective enforcement while maintaining predictability for businesses, noting that well designed competition law supports innovation.

The Managing Director of the Competition and Markets Center, Mr Kofi Datsa, reaffirmed that the seminar serves as a final opportunity for constructive stakeholder input before the Bill is presented to Parliament. He explained that once legislation is passed, its structure becomes fixed, making it essential for stakeholders to engage at this stage to ensure the law is built on sound principles. He expressed appreciation to the speakers and participants for contributing to this important national discussion.

Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Communications, Digitalisation and Innovation, as well as sector regulators such as the Public Utility Regulatory Authority, National Communications Authority and National Insurance Commission. Also present were representatives from the Chamber of Telecommunications, GRIDCO, MTN, AT, C Squared, CUTS International, and legal practitioners from firms including BELA, AB and David, Law Trust, N Dowouna and Co, and Amenuvor and Associates.

About the Competition and Markets Center
The Competition and Markets Center is an Accra based firm specialising in competition economics, policy and law, with a focus on supporting the development of a strong competition law regime in Ghana.