The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, hosted an 18-member delegation from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism at its head office in Accra.
The visit formed part of the Committee’s effort to acquaint itself with the operations of the Authority, while also engaging GSA management on critical issues and operational challenges.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze, Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, who led the delegation, noted that GSA was the first institution the Committee had chosen to visit.
He stressed the need for collaboration among stakeholders to support the development agenda of H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
In his remarks, the Director-General of GSA, Prof. George Agyei, expressed gratitude to the Committee for the visit and the opportunity to discuss pertinent matters affecting the Authority.
He highlighted the vital role of standards in national development, stating that the success of the Government’s 24-hour economy agenda depends on the production of quality goods and services.
“We are building a 24-hour economy, and the 24-hour economy relies on standards. If the 24-hour economy is producing subs-tandard goods, then the 24-hour economy is producing liability,” he remarked.
Dr. Hudu Mogtari, the Board Chairman of GSA, in his remarks, underscored the strategic importance of the Authority’s mandate, stating that the Authority’s core functions of standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment sits at the heart of the work of the Committee.
He emphasised that closer collaboration between the Committee and the Authority would enable GSA to secure the necessary support required to effectively discharge its mandate.
Dr. Mogtari further highlighted the importance of quality infrastructure in driving economic growth, particularly as Ghana seeks to strengthen its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“We are looking at an economy that is seeking to grow, and we are looking at deepening our participation in AfCFTA,” he stated.
As part of the engagement, Mr. George Anti, Head of International Relations, delivered a presentation on the Authority’s operations. He provided an overview of the history, vision, and mission of GSA, while also highlighting the core values, governance structure, and standardization in Ghana. The Committee was also briefed on the key challenges and operational issues confronting the Authority.
During the interactive session, members of the Committee raised a number of concerns, including the influx of sub-standard goods through the country’s land borders, the increasing presence of sub-standard mattresses on the market, the need for enhanced market surveillance and inspection activities, and the need to increase the staff capacity.
The Committee recommended for collaboration between the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and GSA to provide technical training in metrology.
Hon. Hottordze, the chairman of the committee, suggested that the Authority should consider collaborating with the military to deter non-compliant businesses from tampering with GSA enforcement seals after their facilities have been shut down for producing sub-standard products.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Authority’s Forensic Laboratory, Pesticide Residue Laboratory, and Metallic Contaminant Laboratory. The delegation was taken through the operations of the laboratories by Dr. Martin Adarkwa-Yiadom, Ms. Ernestina Adeenze, and Mr. John Opoku-Dankwa, respectively.