Consultant to resolve GSB-FDB tussle

THE Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Dan Abodakpi, has appointed an independent consultant to resolve the tussle between the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) over duplication of functions.

The two organisations have, for sometime now, been engaged in a tussle over which of them has the statutory authorisation to regulate and certify food, drugs, cosmetics and other products.

The confusion emanates from the laws establishing the two agencies which enjoin both of them to certify products which have health implications for the consuming public.

The FDB began to undertake this function with its establishment about four years ago while the GSB has performed the same function for more than 30 years.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr J.S. Dalrynple- Hayfron, who disclosed this in an interview, said the ministry decided to appoint a consultant from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) without any attachment to the two organisations in order that the issue will be looked at without any sentiments.

He said the consultant has been tasked to determine the overlapping functions of the two organisations.

He is also to examine the provisions of the legislation on the two organisations and establish the duplication in the various legislations and come out with a well defined and distinct roles for the two agencies.

Mr Dalrynple-Hayfron said the consultant has two weeks within which to conclude its task.

He said it is the hope of the ministry that the confusion will be settled by the end of this month.

As a result of the confusion, companies which either import or manufacture food, cosmetics and drugs have had to deal with both the GSB and the FDB.

The inability of the two agencies to resolve the issue led to the Vice President, Prof. J E Atta Mills intervening with a request to the sector ministers of Trade and Industry and Health to solve the issue and make the necessary recommendations for cabinet deliberations.