Redefine roles of FDB, GSA in product licensing - Sekondi Chamber of Commerce

The Sekondi/Takoradi branch of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI) has called for a "One stop Shop" for licensing all products, goods and services to enable local businesses to develop and operate smoothly.

The chamber said the complexity as well as frustrations encountered by local entrepreneurs at the offices of both the Food and Drugs Board and the Ghana Standard Authority for certification of a product had over the years hindered the growth of the local industry.

Mr. Samuel Dadzie, Western Regional Treasurer of the Chamber who addressed a press conference at Takoradi, said the seeming overlapping functions of the two agencies created undue delays in licensing and certification of businesses in the manufacturing and food sector.

"These challenges in the view of the chamber are responsible for the low rate of growth in most businesses particularly in the manufacturing sector, " he said.

Mr. Dadzie said these delays had resulted in the lack of trust for operations of the two agencies concerned, resulting in high costs of production and low investor confidence.

He said the various agencies playing different roles had led to the payment of different amounts at any point for certification of a single product.

"While as it is possible for a business to visit just an office to present a sample to that particular agency which will carry out all test and deal with all agencies on the business' behalf".

The Chamber is also calling for a definition of the roles of the FDB and GSA so as to remove any ambiguity adding that government should as a matter of urgency pass the Food and Drugs Act and the Public Health Bill as well as the Standards Bill.

Mr. Dadzie said the Policing and enforcement functions of the FDB and GSA should be critically reviewed since it is being used to intimidate businesses.

He said "it is the chamber's desire to contribute substantially to the growth and development of businesses in the region and entreated the ministries concerned in that regard to address the concerns raised.