GSA secures certification for six laboratories
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has secured international certification for six of its metrology laboratories from the German accreditation body, Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle, also known as DAKKS.
With the certification, the GSA laboratories, which specialise in the measurement of humidity, mass, temperature, pressure as well as volume, would be recognised internationally.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, addressing a gathering on May 30 in Accra to officially receive the accreditation certificates on behalf of the GSA, said the issue of accurate measurements and its linkage to the socio-economic development of a country was imperative for both the production and consumption of goods and services.
“This indeed symbolises the significance of accurate measurement, as well as an acknowledgement of the accreditation of metrology laboratories at the GSA and the country as a whole.
“The presentation of a certificate of accreditation by DAKKS, a German Accreditation body, goes to show the hard work and competence of the staff of the GSA,” he noted.
Mr Kyerematen also indicated that the certification of the laboratories was a significant achievement in the quest to improve standards and service quality in the country.
Opportunity for perspective investors
“It is an opportunity for perspective investors and businesses operating in Ghana to continue to invest in high standards in order to enhance their capacities to compete in the global market,” he said.
The Director General of the GSA, Prof. Alex Dodoo, also held the assertion that the “ability to measure, count or weigh anything we do will be critical” in the country’s trading interactions with the international community.
For his part, the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Christoph Retzlaff, underscored Germany’s undying dedication and support for the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda.
“We support Ghana on its way to a Ghana Beyond Aid. We have heard the President’s vision and we are convinced that Ghana is on the right path and we agree that this path requires private sector development,” he said.
He said although agriculture had the potential to make Ghana independent of food imports while providing opportunities for exports, especially to the European Union, “correct measurements are a basis for trade and that is why compliance with standards and the respective technical provisions has become one of the preconditions for participating in world trade.”
Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAKKS) is the national accreditation body for the Federal Republic of Germany, legally responsible for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies such as laboratories, inspection and certification bodies. It started operating on January 1, 2010.
GSA mandate
The GSA is mandated under the Standards Authority Act, 1973 to undertake conformity assessment activities and gives permission for a conforming product to bear a mark of conformity called the Standard Mark; providing evidence of compliance to specification.
As a result, a product bearing this mark carries a third-party guarantee; an assurance that the product has been inspected, tested and conforms to the requirements of an accepted standard.