The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has successfully integrated its 2026 operational roadmap into the national industrial strategy following a high-level sector-wide workshop organized by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI).
Led by the Deputy Director-General in charge of General Services (DDG-Gen), Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, the GSA delegation presented a comprehensive draft Action Plan aimed at reinforcing Ghana’s quality infrastructure and facilitating seamless trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The workshop was aimed at discussing and aligning the agencies’ various action plans for the year for input into the 2026 sector-wide planning. Ms. Joyce Okoree and Ms. Hannah Swanzy made a presentation on GSA’s 2026 draft Action Plan, which included stakeholder awareness programmes and standards and metrology activities”
Ghana Standards Authority
The workshop served as a critical alignment platform for MoTAI’s subsidiary agencies. By synchronizing their individual agendas, the Ministry aims to create a unified 2026 sector-wide plan that supports the Mahama administration’s goals of industrial transformation and export-led growth.
For the GSA, the focus for the coming year is centered on “enhancing metrology, standardisation, and international mutual recognition.”
A standout feature of the GSA’s 2026 strategy is the pursuit of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with various African countries. According to the Authority, these agreements are essential for reducing technical barriers to trade, ensuring that products certified by the GSA are accepted across the continent without the need for additional testing.
This initiative directly supports the “Big Push” agenda by opening up wider markets for Ghanaian manufacturers and agribusinesses.
The presentation, delivered by Ms. Joyce Okoree (Ag. Director of PME) and Ms. Hannah Swanzy (Head of Planning), highlighted that the GSA will also ramp up its awareness creation programs. These efforts are designed to ensure that local SMEs understand the technical requirements for export, thereby increasing the quality of “Made in Ghana,” goods on the global stage.
Inter-Agency Enforcement
Responding to the GSA’s roadmap, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, commended the Authority for its consistent performance. However, she issued a strategic mandate for the year ahead: increased collaboration.
The Minister emphasized that the GSA’s standards are only as effective as their enforcement, urging the Authority to work closely with sister agencies to protect consumers from sub-standard products.
The Hon. Ofosu-Adjare’s focus on fair pricing and quality standards is particularly relevant as the government implements the 24-Hour Economy policy. As production cycles increase, the vigilance of the GSA in monitoring metrology (accurate measurements) and product safety will be paramount to maintaining market integrity.
By the end of 2026, the GSA intends to have significantly expanded its footprint in both metrology and stakeholder engagement. Hon. Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite noted that the GSA’s role is foundational to the Ministry’s success; without rigid standards, the industrialization drive would lack the credibility needed to attract foreign direct investment.
The GSA’s commitment to aligning with MoTAI’s overarching vision ensures that the “Resetting for Growth,” agenda is backed by a robust technical framework, protecting both the Ghanaian consumer and the international reputation of the nation’s exports.
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