Tamale entrepreneurs exposed to conformity assessment process

Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has launched in Tamale the G-CAP programme, which is a conformity assessment process used to verify that imported products meet the requirements of the technical regulations and standards.

The Deputy Executive Director of GSA, Mr Kofi Nagetey, said at the ceremony that the programme would safeguard local producers and industry from unfair competition.

Mr Nagetey said it would also reduce the risk of the country becoming the dumping ground for counterfeit and substandard products and also facilitate customs clearance process.

He said the programme was being implemented in many countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Algeria, Egypt, Syria and Russia.

The Ghana News Agency reported him as saying that the product assessment would also ensure that products being exported from Ghana meet the standards of the importing countries.

Mr Nagetey said the G-PCAP would be implemented by authorised third party independent agencies on an ‘Exporter-Pays Concept’, which would consist of physical inspection, laboratory testing, documentary review and factory audits.

He said all products subjected to the G-PCAP programme exported to Ghana from October 1, shall be accompanied with a Certificate of Conformity.

Mr Nagetey said the GSA would commence a nationwide sensitization programme for exporters, importers and other stakeholders on the process and other components of the initiative.

Alhaji Alhassan Ishahaku, Northern Regional Coordinating Director, who chaired the function commended the GSA for the initiative and advised the business community to adhere to quality standards by importing or exporting quality products as a means of ensuring that counterfeit goods are avoided.