We would wage war on substandard goods - Amoako

Kumasi, May 19, GNA - The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has vowed to wage war on substandard goods importation to ensure consumer safety and protection.

Mr Charles Amoako, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Board, said the GSB was determined to make sure that there was quality assurance to rid the market of fake and inferior products. The GSB would however require the cooperation of other regulatory agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to achieve this.

Mr Amoako was addressing a day's forum the GSB organised for importers in the region on Wednesday. More than 150 importers and representatives from the Trade and Industry Ministry, Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), FDB, EPA and NPA participated.

The meeting carefully examined the challenges facing the board and identified ways of addressing issues related to safety, quality and compatibility, enhanced sustainability and good regulatory practices. It also adopted effective strategies for collaboration in the protection of consumers and the environment. The topics discussed ranged from "Inspection of high risk goods and its challenges," "The role of CEPS in combating the clearance of counterfeit and substandard goods" to "The destination inspection scheme - a tool for consumer protection". Mr Amoako said they would see to it that designated goods were suitable and safe for consumer use before they were allowed for distribution and sale in the country. Mr Bartholomew Ken Gbireh, CEPS Sector Commander, called for the revision of the various trademarks copyright law to check counterfeiting.

Besides, CEPS needed to be sufficiently empowered to effectively combat fake goods import, he said. Mr Kofi Nagratey, Director of Inspection Destination, GSB, advised importers to seek more information on their businesses to avoid falling foul to the law.

Mr Ntim Donkoh, Acting Director of Trade Facilitation, Ministry of Trade and Industry, said the Ministry was working on a law that would set up structures for consumer protection. Mrs Philomena Boakye Appiah, EPA Regional Director, appealed to importers of dual-purpose agricultural goods to seek expert advice from the Agency.

She stressed the need for rigid enforcement of the ban on importation of second hand handkerchiefs, panties, fridges and deep-freezers that were harmful to the health of the people and the environment. Nana Yaw Owusu, Regional Chairman of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, urged Ghanaians to patronize made in Ghana goods to help grow the local industries and businesses. 19 May 10