UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
BY: VALERIUS ATUIMAH
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Upper East region, has commemorated World Standards Day 2025 with a detailed public education campaign highlighting the critical role of standards in everyday life, industry, and national development. Experts from GSA emphasized the importance of quality, safety, and partnership in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17 which focuses on global partnerships.
The public education session was held on GBC Ura radio’s morning show dubbed the Ura Sunrise show. The GSA Experts were led by the regional director; Mr. Enoch Akortia, and Ms. Mohamed Niimatu, together with Alhaji Sanusi.
This year’s theme, “Cherishing a Better World,” brought to the fore the essence of international standards as foundational tools for building a more connected and prosperous Ghana. The observance, celebrated annually on October 14, recognizes the technical experts and institutions that develop and uphold standards vital for public safety and economic progress.
Standards were explained as agreed-upon rules and guidelines created by consensus and approved by recognized bodies like the GSA. These standards ensure consistency and quality in a wide range of products and services including food, water, consumer goods, construction materials, and industrial processes. Among the key standards mentioned were Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001).
The experts stressed that standards safeguard public health by ensuring products such as drinking water, food items, cosmetics, and fuels meet quality requirements. For example, the presence of the GSA certification mark on water bottles assures consumers of water safety, which is crucial in combating prevalent diseases such as typhoid and malaria. The public was urged to seek quality evaluation and certification for their products, as quality materials are less costly in the long run due to lower health risks and better durability.
The GSA team highlighted their extensive collaboration with agencies like the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), veterinary and agricultural bodies, and other government agencies to enforce and promote standards. This partnership approach aligns with SDG 17’s emphasis on collaborative efforts to address complex challenges such as climate change and poverty reduction.
GSA officials pointed out that standards contribute not only to consumer protection but also to environmental sustainability and economic growth by increasing market access and reducing costs. They emphasized that no single organization can achieve these goals alone, making partnerships essential.
Public education remains a cornerstone of GSA’s mission. The Authority provides services such as product inspection, quality testing, calibration of measuring devices (like fuel pumps and scales), and certification. For instance, measuring devices undergo regular calibration and inspection, marked with green stickers when compliant and red stickers indicating non-compliance, protecting consumers from fraud.
The experts explained the conformity assessment process in detail, including product sampling, testing, and certification procedures. They underscored that certification is renewable annually and that manufacturers must register with agencies like the Ghana Enterprises Agency for easier processing and verification.
In an appeal to manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises, the GSA encouraged them to obtain standards documentation and certification to enhance product credibility locally and internationally. They also warned against illegal use of certification marks, citing penalties of up to 1,000 penalty units (approx. GHc12,000), and announced imminent enhanced enforcement with new uniformed officers.
Acknowledging that attitude change requires sustained effort, the GSA pledged to intensify education, surveillance, and enforcement activities throughout the year. They discussed plans for quarterly educational campaigns, increased market surveillance, and engagement with educational institutions to embed standards awareness among students.
The Ghana Standards Authority remains accessible to the public at their office. They welcome inquiries, product testing requests, and certification applications. Contact numbers were provided for direct engagement and further education.
The in-studio engagement underscores the vital role of GSA in protecting Ghanaian consumers, enhancing product quality, and fostering sustainable development through partnerships. It calls on all stakeholders—producers, marketers, regulators, and consumers—to embrace standards for a better, safer, and prosperous Ghana.
