Terms of Service - ChikakuMarket Student Marketplace Ghana

Welcome to ChikakuMarket, Ghana's premier student marketplace. These Terms of Service govern your use of our platform, which connects verified university students across Ghana for buying and selling items securely with escrow protection.

Summary of Key Terms

Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old and a currently enrolled student at a Ghanaian university. All users must complete student ID and Ghana Card verification.

Escrow Protection: All payments are processed through our secure escrow system. Funds are held until buyers confirm receipt of items, protecting both parties.

Prohibited Items: Illegal goods, weapons, drugs, counterfeit products, and academic cheating services are strictly forbidden.

Fees: Listing items is free. A 2% transaction fee applies to successful sales (seller pays). Payment processing fees vary by method (buyer pays).

Campus Meetups: All transactions must be completed through campus meetups at public locations during daylight hours for safety.

User Obligations

As a user of ChikakuMarket, you agree to provide accurate information, treat other users with respect, complete transactions honestly, and follow all safety guidelines. Violations may result in account suspension or termination.

Dispute Resolution

ChikakuMarket provides a dispute resolution process for transaction issues. Our team mediates between buyers and sellers to ensure fair outcomes. Disputes are typically resolved within 5-7 business days.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Ghana. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Accra, Ghana, as outlined in Section 9.

Contact Legal Department

For legal inquiries or questions about these Terms, contact us at legal@chikakumarket.com. Our legal team responds within 5 business days.

Acceptance Eligibility User Accounts Transactions Prohibited Items Escrow System Liability Termination

Terms of Service

Last Updated: January 15, 2026

These terms govern your use of ChikakuMarket, Ghana's trusted student marketplace. Please read them carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the ChikakuMarket platform ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of the terms, you may not access the Service.

Key Points:

  • You must be at least 18 years old to use our platform
  • You must be a currently enrolled university student in Ghana
  • You agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations
  • We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time with 30 days' notice

2. Eligibility Requirements

To use ChikakuMarket, you must meet the following requirements:

Required

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a currently enrolled university student in Ghana
  • Have a valid student email address (.edu.gh)
  • Complete identity verification with Ghana Card
  • Agree to campus meetup and safety guidelines

Not Allowed

  • Non-student individuals or general public
  • Commercial businesses or retail shops
  • Students from non-Ghanaian institutions
  • Individuals under 18 years old
  • Unverified or partially verified accounts

3. User Accounts and Verification

Account Creation

To access certain features, you must register for an account. You agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
  • Maintain and promptly update your account information
  • Keep your password secure and confidential at all times
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
  • Accept full responsibility for all activities under your account
  • Use only one account (multiple accounts are prohibited)

Identity Verification

All users must complete our verification process to ensure a trusted marketplace:

Verification Process:

  1. Student ID Verification: Upload a clear photo of your valid student ID showing name, photo, and expiration date
  2. Ghana Card Verification: Provide Ghana Card details for government ID confirmation
  3. University Email: Verify your .edu.gh email address through a confirmation link
  4. Profile Completion: Complete your user profile with accurate personal information
  5. Phone Verification: Verify your Ghanaian mobile number via SMS code

Important Notice

Providing false information, using someone else's identity, or creating fake student accounts is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account suspension, permanent ban, and potential legal action under Ghanaian law.

4. Buying and Selling Transactions

For Sellers

When listing items for sale on ChikakuMarket, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate, honest descriptions and clear, unedited photos
  • Disclose any defects, damage, or issues with the item upfront
  • Set fair and reasonable prices based on item condition and market value
  • Respond promptly to buyer inquiries (within 24 hours)
  • Meet at agreed campus locations for item exchange during daylight hours
  • Honor the listed price and description without last-minute changes
  • Mark items as sold immediately after transaction completion

For Buyers

When purchasing items on ChikakuMarket, you agree to:

  • Inspect items thoroughly in person before purchasing
  • Ask clarifying questions if unsure about item condition or specifications
  • Make payments exclusively through our secure escrow system
  • Meet at agreed campus locations for item pickup during daylight hours
  • Release escrow funds only after satisfactory receipt of the item
  • Leave honest reviews and ratings based on your actual experience

Campus Meetups and Delivery

All transactions must be completed through campus meetups at agreed public locations:

Safety Guidelines for Meetups:

  • Location: Meet during daylight hours in public campus areas (library, student center, dining hall, security post)
  • Companion: Bring a friend if meeting someone for the first time
  • Communication: Inform someone about your meetup location and expected return time
  • Verification: Verify the other person's identity through the ChikakuMarket app
  • Privacy: Never share personal contact information until identity is verified
  • Reporting: Report any suspicious behavior or no-shows immediately

5. Prohibited Items and Activities

Prohibited Items

The following items are strictly prohibited from being listed, sold, or traded on ChikakuMarket:

Illegal Items

  • Alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or nicotine items
  • Illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or drug paraphernalia
  • Weapons, firearms, ammunition, knives, or explosives
  • Stolen property or items with unclear ownership
  • Counterfeit goods, knockoffs, or replica items

Restricted Items

  • Academic assignments, term papers, or theses for sale
  • Exam papers, answer keys, or test answers
  • Live animals or pets
  • Perishable food items or opened consumables
  • Hazardous materials or chemicals

Prohibited Services

  • Academic cheating or exam-taking services
  • Essay writing or paper writing services
  • Identity document forgery services
  • Adult content or escort services
  • Illegal tutoring or unauthorized test prep

Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited on the ChikakuMarket platform:

  • Harassment, bullying, hate speech, or threatening behavior
  • Fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive listings
  • Price gouging or unfair pricing practices
  • Circumventing or bypassing the escrow payment system
  • Creating multiple user accounts or fake accounts
  • Unauthorized commercial activity or reselling as a business
  • Sharing personal contact information before a transaction is confirmed
  • Attempting to take transactions off-platform

Consequences of Violations

Violation of prohibited items or activities will result in immediate account suspension, permanent ban from the platform, and notification to relevant authorities including university administration and law enforcement where applicable.

6. Escrow Payment System

ChikakuMarket uses a secure escrow system to protect both buyers and sellers in every transaction:

How Escrow Protection Works:

  1. Payment Made: Buyer makes payment to the escrow account via PayStack
  2. Funds Held Securely: Payment is held securely by ChikakuMarket's escrow partner
  3. Item Exchange: Buyer and seller meet on campus for item inspection
  4. Buyer Approval: Buyer approves item receipt in the ChikakuMarket app
  5. Funds Released: Escrow releases funds to seller (minus applicable fees)
  6. Dispute Resolution: If issues arise, our team mediates to find a fair resolution

Service Fees and Pricing

ChikakuMarket charges the following fees for using our platform:

  • Transaction Fee: 2% of total transaction value (charged to the seller upon successful sale)
  • Payment Processing Fee: Varies by payment method (charged to the buyer, typically 1.5% + fixed fee)
  • Listing Fees: Zero - listing items is completely free
  • Subscription Fees: Zero - no monthly or annual fees for basic accounts
  • Cancellation Fee: May apply if a transaction is canceled after payment without valid reason

Payment Warning

Never make payments outside the ChikakuMarket escrow system. Payments made directly to sellers via mobile money, bank transfer, or cash are NOT protected by our buyer guarantee and violate our terms of service. Off-platform payments will result in immediate account suspension.

7. Limitation of Liability

Our Role as a Platform

ChikakuMarket is a technology platform that connects student buyers and sellers. We are NOT:

  • A party to any transaction agreement between users
  • A guarantor of item quality, condition, authenticity, or fitness for purpose
  • Responsible for user actions, behavior, or safety during campus meetups
  • An insurer of items being sold or purchased on the platform
  • Responsible for tax obligations, declarations, or payments of users
  • Responsible for third-party payment processor issues or delays

User Responsibility

Users are solely responsible for:

  • Verifying item condition, authenticity, and specifications before purchase
  • Ensuring safe meetup arrangements and personal safety
  • Complying with all applicable Ghanaian laws and university regulations
  • Paying any applicable taxes on sales or purchases
  • Resolving disputes amicably or through our dispute resolution process
  • Protecting their account credentials and personal information

Maximum Liability:

To the maximum extent permitted by Ghanaian law, ChikakuMarket's total liability to you for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall not exceed the greater of:

  • The total amount you have paid us in fees during the 6 months preceding the claim, or
  • GH₵ 1,000 (One Thousand Ghana Cedis)

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory under which the claim arises.

8. Account Termination

Voluntary Termination by User

You may terminate your ChikakuMarket account at any time by:

  1. Logging into your account settings
  2. Selecting "Delete Account" in the security section
  3. Confirming your decision by entering your password

Upon account termination:

  • Your profile will be removed from public view immediately
  • Any pending transactions will be canceled or allowed to complete per your preference
  • Active escrow transactions will proceed to completion
  • Your personal data will be deleted per our Privacy Policy retention schedule
  • Past reviews and ratings may remain anonymous for platform integrity

Involuntary Termination by ChikakuMarket

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice, for violations including:

Immediate Termination

  • Violation of prohibited items policy
  • Fraudulent activity or identity fraud
  • Harassment, threats, or abuse of other users
  • Off-platform payment requests or escrow circumvention
  • Creating multiple accounts or fake accounts
  • Providing false verification documents

Warning First

  • Poor quality or misleading listings (first offense)
  • Slow response to buyer inquiries (repeated)
  • Minor policy violations (non-critical)
  • Repeated low ratings from multiple buyers
  • Incomplete or outdated profile information
  • No-show for agreed meetups (repeated)

9. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ghana, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ghana.

Dispute Resolution Process

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of ChikakuMarket shall be resolved as follows:

  1. Direct Negotiation (5 days): Parties attempt to resolve the dispute through direct communication
  2. Platform Mediation (10 days): If unresolved, our support team mediates to find a fair resolution
  3. Formal Mediation (30 days): If platform mediation fails, parties enter formal mediation in Accra
  4. Binding Arbitration: If mediation fails, the dispute shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Accra, Ghana, under Ghana Arbitration Centre rules
  5. Court Action: As a last resort, either party may file a claim in the courts of Accra, Ghana

Exceptions:

The dispute resolution process does not apply to claims of intellectual property infringement, fraud, or illegal activity, which may be taken directly to court.

10. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion.

How We Notify You of Changes:

  • Email notification sent to registered users' verified email addresses
  • In-app notification banner displayed upon login
  • Updated "Last Updated" date prominently displayed on this page
  • Social media announcements on our official channels
  • Blog post summarizing key changes

By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, you must stop using the Service and delete your account.

11. Contact Legal Department

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, legal inquiries, or wish to report a violation, please contact our legal department:

Email: legal@chikakumarket.com

Alternate Email: support@chikakumarket.com

Phone: +233 556 811 607 (Mon-Fri, 9AM-5PM GMT)

Address: ChikakuMarket Legal Department, Accra, Ghana

Response Time: Within 5 business days for legal inquiries

Subject Line: Legal Inquiry - Terms of Service