The Ghana Standards Authority has cut the sod for the construction of a calibration laboratory to gauge high-precision equipment and standards in the country.

Known as the E2 mass laboratory, the dedicated facility uses E2 class weights, a high-accuracy, low-tolerance certified calibration weights, which represent an extremely high standard of mass accuracy for metrology.

Such labs ensure that devices such as analytical balances and other precision instruments can perform with the minimal deviation required for industries including pharmaceuticals, research, and advanced manufacturing.

The Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Professor George Agyei, cut the sod for the construction of the laboratory when the authority unveiled a an upgraded Primary Temperature Laboratory in partnership with Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany’s national metrology institute.

Standards

Prof. Agyei explained that the developments were expected to enhance the country’s capacity to meet international standards for the quality of goods and services, ultimately improving the competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses.

The move, he said also aligned with Ghana's goal to strengthen its metrology infrastructure, a necessity for quality system and trade facilitation.

The Director-General said the government had already approved the funding for the construction of the laboratory and all processes for procurement were on course.

Prof. Agyei called on staff to properly maintain the equipment to extend their life span.

The Director, Metrology, Prince Isaac Kingsford Arthur, said the laboratories would support industry, protect consumers, enhance trade and elevate Ghana's standing in the global metrology community.

“The commissioning of the primary temperature laboratory and the groundbreaking for the E2 Mass Laboratory are bold declarations for Ghana's leadership in scientific precision, industrial excellence and continental collaboration,” he said commending PTB for the support.

Partnership

Frederike Kaiser, who represented PTB, said the commissioning was a reflection of the long-lasting and successful partnership between the two countries.

She said with the investment, the government of Ghana was laying the foundation of a prosperous future for cooperation, adding that with the finance provided by a the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, PTB would support with high-class equipment and further knowledge to measure mass.

"This will be an even better basis for tighter cooperation between our national metrology institutes.

The new lab will further the precise measurement of mass," she added

She said precise measurement would strengthen Ghana's industry in line with the new 24-hour economy programme and enlarge opportunities to export goods to other countries in the region and to Europe.