Annabel Brewska presents the certificates to Alan Kyerematen while the German Ambassador and other officials of GSA applaud them
Dakks, the German accreditation body last Wednesday presented new accreditation to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in Accra to help it comply with standards, a precondition for participating in world trade.
Annabel Brewska, representative for Dakks responsible for international affairs, who presented the accreditation certificates to Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, commended Ghana for continuously promoting quality standards.
Mr Kyerematen, who also presented the certificates to Prof Alex Dodoo, Director-General of GSA, appealed to prospective investors and businesses operating in the country to continue to invest in high standards in order to enhance their capacity to compete in the global market.
Christoph Retzlaff, German Ambassador to Ghana, in a speech, said standards protect consumers and their health, as well as the environment, adding that correct measurements are the basis for trade.
“Through the Interim European Partnership Agreement, Ghana has free access to the European market – a great opportunity for agricultural products. However, this access is subject to the compliance with quality standards and technical provisions.”
He said considering the case of Ghana, some of the goals associated with the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ vision were highly dependent on a solid quality infrastructure.
Domestic revenue mobilization, stimulation of private investment and reduction of unemployment all require standardized testing, evaluation and accreditation. For example, it’s relevant for taxing systems, as well as for import and export.”
He added that currently Germany, via PTB, supports two projects in Ghana, which fit perfectly into the new initiatives of Ghana’s government, namely ‘One District, One Factory’ and ‘Planting for Food and Jobs.’
Carola Heider, Project Manager for PTB, the German National Institute of Metrology, in a remark, said with the new accreditation, products exported from Ghana would be internationally recognised since they would be tested by GSA.
“Such recognition will help Ghana’s economy to become more reliable and competitive.”
By Samuel Boadi