GSA establishes technical committees to strengthen operations

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has inaugurated three technical committees aimed at enhancing its operations, with a call for members to contribute their expertise and industry experience.

The newly sworn-in committees, focused on Standards, Metrology and Conformity Assessment, will provide technical advice to the GSA’s board.

GSA Board Chairman, Prof. Felix Mills Robertson, who led members in taking their official oaths, emphasised the importance of confidentiality.

The Director-General of GSA, Prof. Alex Dodoo, said the formation of these committees aligns with the GSA Act; and reflects the organisation’s intent to draw expertise from a diverse group of stakeholders rather than relying on political appointments.

“Committee members were selected based on practical considerations, with representation from industry, academia and retired GSA staff who possess invaluable institutional knowledge,” Prof. Dodoo said.

Each committee includes two former GSA employees, alongside a board member and a technical board representative, to ensure continuity and expertise.

Prof. Dodoo stressed that the committees are expected to offer independent and impartial guidance on key technical areas such as standards development, assessments, and metrology. “These committees will ensure decisions are made based on sound scientific, ethical and professional principles,” he added.

He highlighted the importance of openness, particularly for consumers, and said the committees would promote better governance within the GSA. Each committee is expected to elect its own chairperson to promote transparency in decision-making processes.

“Our expectation is that members will bring their independent expertise—whether from industry, academia or consumer perspectives—and make their voices heard,” Prof. Dodoo said.

He noted that members would serve a three-year term, renewable for an additional term.

The Director-General also emphasised that the GSA seeks not only to leverage external expertise, but also to benefit from the institutional knowledge of retired staff. “We want to ensure transparency and openness at every level, especially in our interactions with consumers,” he said.

The committees are part of broader efforts by the GSA to enhance governance and strengthen the country’s standards framework through rigorous testing, inspection and certification processes.