Standardising Ghana's markets, one weight at a time

The Vice-President of civil society organisation IMANI Ghana, Selorm Branttie, has advocated that basic commodities such as sugar, rice, wheat and vegetables be sold by weights.

He said that should lead the government to also enforce a total ban on plastic bags.

The bit on weights and measures rings very loud because in our markets, its a common sight to see goods being sold without the use of weights. Instead, vendors rely on approximations, leading to inconsistencies and potential losses for both buyers and sellers.

This lack of standardisation can be attributed to the absence of effective enforcement mechanisms and limited awareness of the importance of accurate weights and measurements.

In contrast, countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia have made significant strides in implementing standardised weights and measurements. In Kenya, for instance, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has established a robust system for verifying and calibrating weights and measures.

This has helped to promote fairness and transparency in trade, ultimately benefiting both consumers and businesses.

Ethiopia, on the other hand, has taken a more decentralised approach, empowering local authorities to enforce weights and measures standards.

This has led to improved compliance and a reduction in disputes related to weights and measurements. Ghana can draw valuable lessons from these examples and work towards establishing a similar framework.

Custodian

Back home, the appointment of Professor Alex Dodoo as the first-ever Custodian of Weights and Measures in September 2023 marked a significant milestone in Ghana's efforts to align with international standards in metrology.

Although mandated by the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), it demonstrated Ghana's commitment to promoting fairness and accuracy in trade practices. For instance, Professor Dodoo's new role empowered him to appoint the country’s first set of Trading Standards Inspectors (TSIs) and Inspectors of Weights and Measures, to among other things ensure that businesses operated fairly and accurately.

By designating Prof. Dodoo, who is also the Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) as the Custodian of Weights and Measures, Ghana asserted itself as a dependable and compliant partner in the global marketplace and attracted international visitors from the global standards community to Accra, including Sergio Mujica, the Secretary-General of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

However, as the new government takes office, it is crucial that they build upon this progress and continue to prioritise the enforcement of accurate weights and measurements.

This includes supporting the GSA in its efforts to promote uniformity in Ghana's weights and measures laws, regulations and standards.

With the creation of the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, there is a renewed focus on promoting the agricultural sector as a springboard for economic growth.

However, without accurate weights and measurements, farmers and traders may struggle to negotiate fair prices, leading to reduced incomes and decreased investment in the sector.

Looking forward

The GSA has over the last few years been working to promote awareness of the importance of accurate weights and measurements.

The government must support these efforts of the Custodian of Standards and be intentional about education and awareness-raising efforts to inform businesses and consumers about the importance of accurate weights and measurements.

The authority has also been engaging with market stakeholders such as the Ghana Union Of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) to develop and implement standardised weights and measures.

By building on these efforts and learning from international best practices, Ghana can establish a fair and transparent system for buying and selling goods, ultimately driving economic growth and development.

Accurate weights and measurements are essential for ensuring fair trade practices and promoting economic growth.

When businesses operate with inaccurate weights and measurements, it can lead to unfair competition, price manipulation and a lack of trust among consumers.

That is why the government has a critical role to play in ensuring that accurate weights and measurements are enforced in trade practices.

Indeed, the new government is in a better place to prioritise the enforcement of accurate weights and measures in our markets.