"The ECOWAS Community Regulatory Framework does not undermine consumer protection regulations at the country level"

With a good experience in protecting consumer rights, Ms. N'guessan born Cisse Karidjatou is one of those women actresses of the State structures of consumer protection who participated, from end to end, in the work of the regional workshop of validation of the ECOWAS community regulatory framework for the protection of consumers. Between optimism and willingness, she is very confident about the effective implementation of this new community text that will help ensure the safety, protection and care of consumers in the region in terms of quality consumption.

WAQSP: As a representative of Ministry of Trade of Côte d'Ivoire, what is the meaning of this validation workshop and what direct impact do you foresee for consumers in your country?

Ms. N'guessan: This workshop represents a lot for the Ministry of Trade, but also for the consumer associations of Côte d'Ivoire. This is a wish expressed at the meeting held in Lome, Togo, in April 2018. At the level of structures in charge of consumer associations and organizations themselves, we all wanted this framework and this exchange platform, both in terms of regulations and information sharing. So we are very honored to participate in this workshop and to be able to work, get involved, make observations and also bring the experience of Côte d'Ivoire in protecting the rights of consumers.

WAQSP: We know that in our countries, in the protection of consumer rights, many laws are adopted but very weakly applied. What future do you foresee for this regulatory framework of ECOWAS for the real handling of consumer concerns?

Ms. N'guessan: Your very pertinent concern has already been debated before we even came to Ouagadougou. When we received, for comments and proposals, the draft Community regulatory framework of ECOWAS for the protection of consumers, our first concern was the applicability or the future of this provision, once adopted, in our different countries, especially in Ivory Coast. Since 2016, Côte d'Ivoire has adopted a law on consumption which, in fact, is a law that should sufficiently protect the Ivorian consumer. In the past and as you said, in Côte d'Ivoire, there were laws in the field. But these laws mainly allowed the Government through the administration of Trade to police the sector. Today, with the law on consumption, consumer protection is strengthened and even more, the consumer, himself, has the weapons and local mechanisms for taking control of his own defense. This law provides for several bodies, including the National Council of Consumption and other commissions. These include, among others, the Commission on Overindebtedness, the Consumer Safety Commission. So, we made the observation that the draft submitted to us concerning the ECOWAS Community Regulatory Framework does not go against the regulatory provisions that already exist at the national level. I can reassure you that during the workshop, we were reassured on this fact.