National Quality Standards Policy to move to Cabinet soon – Minister

Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the Minister of Trade and Industry, has said the National Quality Standards Policy would be placed before Cabinet for approval within next month.

The Policy, when endorsed, would help shape the quality of the infrastructure landscape in the country.

Dr Spio-Garbrah said Metrology (the Science of Measurement) was important for development; explaining that, “This is because decisions are made based on information from measurements”.

“In fact, wrong measurements results lead to wrong decisions,” he said. “Metrological activities ensure that measurements meet specified degrees of accuracy and precision. “They also ensure that measurements are adequate and reliable.”

Dr Spio-Garbrah made these remarks in a speech read, on his behalf by Mr Dawarnoba Baeka, the Chief Director of the Ministry, at an event to mark the 2016 World Metrology Day, in Accra.

It was on the theme: ‘Measurements in a Dynamic World’. The theme was chosen to align with the increasingly rapid pace of change in Measurement Science, globally.

Metrology plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.

World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of 17 nations.

The Minister said the importance of Science and Technology in contemporary society was demonstrated by the unconscious use of its benefits in our daily lives; citing the use of modern means of transport such as air, water and road to get to destinations within the shortest possible time.

He said the use of cell phones and computers had become possible because of Science and Technology; stating that: “These innovations had come about because of accuracy and reliability of measurements. Without accurate measurements, scientific inventions would not have been possible.”

He said if trade and industry was to advance to satisfactory levels and compete favourably with the rest of the world, then the Science of accurate measurement needed to be taken seriously at all levels.

“This is why Word Metrology Day, which recognises and celebrates the contribution of all people that work in inter-governmental and national organisations in different parts of the world is being celebrated not just as an occasion, but as a Day signifying the relevance of measurements to socio-economic development,” he said.

Dr George Ben Crentsil, the Executive Director, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), in a speech read on his behalf by Mrs Elizabeth H. Adetola, the Deputy Director in-charge of Core Service, GAS, said the accurate knowledge of dynamic qualities was pivotal to progress in fast-changing technology.

“This shows that we need dynamic people in dynamic organisations to address the challenges of measurements in a dynamic world,” he stated.

“This explains why the GSA places much emphasis on Metrology for the benefit of business entities and the country as a whole,” he stated.

Mr K. O. Boadu, the Director of Metrology, GSA, gave an overview of Metrology, saying out of the number of laboratories established by the GSA, five of them had been accredited to the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAKKS), the national accreditation board of Germany; with others to follow soon.

The accredited ones are the Temperature, Pressure, Volume, Mass and Balance laboratories.

He announced that the Government was sourcing for funds for the GSA to establish a new Metrology Laboratory in Takoradi to serve the oil and gas industry.

Mr Ebenezer Neequaye Kotey, the Head of Metrology, Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR), said, “As Ghana moves towards building a strong National Quality Infrastructure, it is imperative to establish a National Metrology Institute, which would keep and maintain our national standards.”

He said the CSIR-IIR was pleased to have been selected to develop and maintain the National Standard in Acoustics (the study of all mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids).

He urged Government to expedite work on the passage of the draft National Quality Policy.