Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The National Consumer Protection Commission (NCPC) held a one-day briefing on consumer protection issues on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The event, attended by Deputy Minister of Trade Fatmata Kargbo, the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the business community, took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Conference Hall on Tower Hill in Freetown.
Frank Martin, Manager of the Metrology Department at SLSB, emphasized the Bureau’s role in safeguarding consumer interests. He highlighted the SLSB’s commitment to quality infrastructure, comparing its role to the Ghana Standards Authority. Martin outlined the five pillars of the SLSB, focusing on the importance of standards and metrology in ensuring accurate measurements and maintaining order.
Martin also detailed the three divisions within the pillar of Conformity Assessment: testing, inspection, and certification. He explained that these processes ensure products meet set standards, verify compliance at various sites, and certify products and systems that meet standards, including market surveillance to address issues like expired or substandard products.
Lawrence L. Bassie, CEO of NCPC, highlighted the challenges faced by Sierra Leoneans, including unfair trade practices and widespread poverty. He stressed the importance of value for money on essential goods and services. Bassie explained that the NCPC, established through Act No. 7 of the National Consumer Protection Act 2020, aims to place consumers at the center of decision-making and ensure a fair and transparent complaints process.
Bassie outlined the NCPC’s mission to protect and promote consumer welfare and its vision to be a world-class commission. He detailed the Commission’s functions, including monitoring consumer markets, conducting research and policy enhancement, and disseminating consumer information. Bassie emphasized the importance of consumer education and awareness campaigns.
In her keynote address, Deputy Minister Fatmata Kargbo highlighted the Government’s commitment to consumer protection and the significance of World Consumer Rights Day. She praised President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for transforming consumer protection in Sierra Leone and aligning it with his broader goal of human capital development.
Kargbo acknowledged the efforts of the NCPC in addressing consumer grievances and ensuring fair practices in the marketplace. She commended the CEO of NCPC for his leadership and advocacy for consumer rights. Kargbo reiterated the importance of the National Consumer Protection Act of 2020 and urged citizens to utilize the resources and support offered by the NCPC to enhance consumer protection in Sierra Leone.
