The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to securing the nation’s borders against sub-standard goods by strengthening port vigilance during the 2026 International Customs Day. At a high-level commemoration held in Accra, the GSA emphasized its role as the backbone of Ghana’s National Quality Infrastructure.
Under the theme “Customs Protecting Society through Vigilance and Commitment,” the event highlighted the necessity of inter-agency cooperation in managing the complex flow of international trade. Deputy Director General for General Services, Mr. Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, represented the Authority, joining a panel of elite security and regulatory heads to discuss the evolving threats to consumer safety and national economic stability.
“The core mandate of the Ghana Standards Authority is to protect consumers while facilitating trade. As the country’s sole National Quality Infrastructure institution, we possess the specialized capacity to conduct testing, apply standards, and undertake certification and metrology services.
“This positioning is vital to ensuring that Ghana remains a competitive and safe destination for global trade”
Mr. Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, Deputy Director General for General Services
GSA noted that it’s mandate is uniquely critical within the trade ecosystem. Mr. Jabanyite explained that while the Authority’s primary objective is to protect the Ghanaian consumer from hazardous or inferior products, its secondary role is to facilitate legitimate trade by streamlining the certification process for exporters.
By maintaining a permanent, vigilant presence at the ports, the Authority ensures that every product entering the market meets the rigorous benchmarks set by national and international standards.
Inter-Agency Synergy
The commemoration brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Narcotics Control Commission, and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB). According to the GSA, this multidisciplinary approach underscores the government’s strategy to integrate standard-setting with national security.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, and the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, both noted that the protection of society requires more than just revenue collection; it necessitates a “shield” against the health and safety risks posed by illicit or non-compliant goods.
The GSA’s role in this “shield” involves the technical inspection of final products before they are released into the open market.
By verifying that imported electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food items comply with local safety requirements, the Authority prevents the dumping of dangerous goods that could undermine public health or destabilize local manufacturing industries.
Beyond border protection, the GSA is instrumental in helping local businesses scale through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
By providing metrology and certification services that are recognized across borders, the Authority enables Ghanaian manufacturers to prove the quality of their products in international markets. This dual focus on import regulation and export facilitation is a cornerstone of the Ministry of Trade’s industrial reset agenda.
“GSA ensures that trade is fair and that the measurements used in commerce are accurate. When we certify a product, we are giving it a passport to move across borders with the trust of international buyers. This commitment to quality is what will ultimately drive Ghana’s sustainable economic growth”
Mr. Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, Deputy Director General for General Services
The GSA’s participation in International Customs Day served as a reminder that “vigilance” is a technical process as much as a security one.
The application of precise standards and the use of calibrated metrology equipment allow for a transparent and predictable trade environment, which in turn attracts high-value foreign direct investment.
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