Standard Authority, IIA sign MoU to support SMEs

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and Invest in Africa (IIA) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aimed at making Ghanaian businesses, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) become more competitive locally and globally.

A statement issued in Accra by Beauty O. Larbi, the IIA Marketing Manager, said it would enable businesses improved quality and access to financial and technical support.

The MoU follows a business forum, which underscored the relevance of information on quality standards for business growth to help bridge the knowledge gap of Ghanaian businesses, especially the SMEs.

The forum was held on the theme: “Creating Thriving Businesses through Taxation & Quality Standards."

The statement said the MOU would allow IIA to advertise the services of the GSA on the IIA and African Partner Pool websites, with direct links to the GSA website so as to inform and simplify the process of accessing the services of GSA.

It said SMEs would also have the opportunity to participate in events, training programmes and forums that focus on quality standards and their application to business growth and development.

The Authority which is the National Standards body was established by the Standards Act 1973 (NRCD 173) and is also the custodian of the Weights and Measures Act (NRCD 326, 1975).

These legislations together mandate the Authority to undertake: national standards development and dissemination, product certification scheme, pattern approval of new weighing and measuring instruments, destination Inspection of imported high-risk goods, advise the Ministry of Trade, Industry, on standards and related issues amongst others.

Professor Alex Dodoo, the Executive Director of GSA, said the need to create awareness for the services of the Authority and their readiness to facilitate, direct and assist SMEs to produce quality made in Ghana goods and access their services to meet the required standards.

IIA, a cross-sector partnership of companies with the vision to create thriving African economies, has been set up to give businesses access to skills, finance and new markets and it is done through its key initiatives the APP, an online business platform that connects international companies to validated local businesses.

Mr. Sam Brandful, the Ghana manager for IIA expressed the view that the collaboration with the GSA would guide local businesses to expand, understand and meet Ghanaian and international standards and empower local businesses to support the Ghanaian economy while addressing major challenges which affect their growth.

Another initiative of Invest in Africa is the Business Excellence Programme, a combined Development Partners & Private Sector funded programme with the aim of building businesses to be more competitive.