The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, has emphasised the pivotal role of standards in driving Ghana’s national development, promoting industrial growth, protecting public health, and enhancing consumer confidence.
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, has emphasised the pivotal role of standards in driving Ghana’s national development, promoting industrial growth, protecting public health, and enhancing consumer confidence.
She said standards form the backbone of quality, safety, and trust, serving as key instruments for Ghana’s economic transformation and competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Delivering an address on her behalf at the 2025 World Standards Day celebration in Accra yesterday, the Board Chair of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Hudu Mogtari, reaffirmed that standards are the “invisible backbone” supporting every aspect of daily life.
The event was held under the theme: “Shared Vision for a Better World — Standards for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Mrs. Ofosu Adjare noted that standards determine the safety of food, the reliability of infrastructure, the competitiveness of exports, and the inclusiveness of economic growth.
She stated that the role of standards aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to rebuild the economy, restore public confidence, and promote sustainable growth.
The Minister highlighted the GSA’s instrumental role in achieving this agenda through innovation, regulation, and collaboration with industry stakeholders.
Citing key initiatives, she mentioned the Ghana Digital Conformity Project and the development of food safety standards such as ISO 22000, which have improved product quality, protected consumers, and expanded international market access.
By facilitating industrial growth, supporting agribusiness, advancing digitalisation, and promoting the Made in Ghana brand, the GSA continues to strengthen the foundation for a resilient economy capable of thriving under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Mrs. Ofosu Adjare urged manufacturers to invest in compliance and product testing to uphold the highest standards, describing quality as the gateway to sustainable growth. She also appealed to development partners to continue supporting Ghana’s quality infrastructure and encouraged consumers to demand safe and reliable products.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to empowering the Authority, the Minister disclosed plans to modernise GSA laboratories, expand testing capabilities, and harmonise national standards with international best practices.
In a related statement, the Director-General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, represented by the Deputy Director of Conformity Assessment, Clifford Frimpong, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with public and private stakeholders to advance sustainable development and enhance Ghana’s global trade competitiveness.
He stressed that standards are vital tools for collaboration and growth, as they harmonise practices, promote innovation, and create a foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Professor Agyei added that partnerships with international organisations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the European Union (EU), and the WACOMP programme, have significantly strengthened Ghana’s laboratories, expanded testing capacity, and improved certification systems.