Ghana Standards Authority inspectors hit streets to crack down on substandard goods

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has deployed a team of well-trained Trading Standards Inspectors (TSIs) to conduct market surveillance in various markets, supermarkets and filling stations to ensure that patrons get value for money. 

The Trading Standards Inspectors have been deployed in Accra, Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi and other major towns and cities to look out for substandard products, unapproved products and fake products, among others, to ensure that marketers do not cash in on unsuspecting buyers and shoppers during the Christmas season and beyond.

The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alexander Dodoo, who led the team’s activities in Accra last weekend told the Daily Graphic that all the TSIs had received police training, undergone criminal background checks and had been absorbed into permanent employment for the exercise.

“Every one of them has had their criminal records checked, their fingerprints taken into the police record system before, by law, I appointed them and published their names in the gazettes,” Prof. Dodoo said.

He said the TSIs, who were the first approved enforcement officers by the GSA had been licensed to verify the conformity of goods, processes or services with the relevant mandatory standards or other applicable standards in line with the GSA Act 2022 (Act 1078).

Per the law, they will check the quality of goods and services on the market, check the accuracy of volumes and weights of products, collect samples for testing, identify non-compliant products and traders, and institute appropriate actions.

They also have the mandate to gather evidence for prosecution, undertake undercover work to collect evidence for prosecution, give evidence in court, provide public education and sensitisation and also receive consumer complaints.

Prof. Dodoo said the GSA Act 2022 (Act 1078) gave TSIs the authority to enter premises under Section 44.

The Act states: “An inspector may at all reasonable times and for the purpose of this Act, enter any premises in which any commodity, process or practice is or is reasonably suspected of being manufactured, processed, produced, treated or kept for the purpose of any trade or business.” 

Novelty

Prof. Dodoo who is the first to be appointed by name, as the Custodian of Weights and Measures in the country, said the TSIs were the continent's first fully appointed and gazetted inspectors of standards, trained to chartered standards, and unveiled for the notice of the public.

This pioneering group, initially consisting of 300 members, are stationed across the capital cities in the country.

Prof. Dodoo said although the number was inadequate to cater for the entire country, these inspectors possessed comprehensive knowledge and were of high moral standards.

Notably, he said their expertise surpassed that of their UK counterparts, despite the latter's reliance on internet-based resources.

He said the inspectors were recognisable by their distinctive uniforms and identification cards, and as such citizens were encouraged to request their ID cards and warrants, which outlined the specific areas they were authorised to inspect.

“This measure ensures accountability and transparency in their operations,” Prof. Dodoo said. 

Support for public good

The TSIs in the company of Prof. Dodoo paid a courtesy call to the newsroom of the Daily Graphic yesterday where they were introduced to members of the editorial team.

The Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to promoting excellence and safeguarding consumer interests.

He reaffirmed the paper’s dedication to advocating standardisation and quality control in all sectors.

As a leading media organisation, he said Graphic recognised the importance of maintaining high standards and ensuring quality in goods and services. This commitment is reflected in the organisation's operations, where quality is prioritised in every aspect of its work.

"We believe that standards need to be maintained and quality has to be promoted and as a responsible media house, we have a duty to advocate the interests of our audience and ensure that they receive the best possible value for their money," Mr Yartey said.

For instance, he said, one area where this commitment was particularly relevant was in the petroleum sector as well as the construction sector.

He said when purchasing fuel or building materials, consumers needed to be assured of their quality to avoid potential damage to their vehicles or property.

He also highlighted the economic benefits of promoting quality and standards, saying that by supporting businesses that prioritised quality, the cost of production could be reduced, leading to increased efficiency and competitiveness.

"If we help businesses succeed by promoting quality and standards, it ultimately benefits everyone. We will continue to advocate the importance of standardisation and quality control, and work with businesses and stakeholders to promote excellence in all sectors," Mr Yartey said.