The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to decentralise regulatory services and improve access to certification and compliance support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will allow designated GEA offices nationwide to serve as access points for FDA services, providing entrepreneurs with regulatory guidance and assistance in navigating the processes required to operate legally and introduce products into the Ghanaian market.
The initiative, led by the Chief Executive Officer of GEA, Ms. Margaret Ansei, is intended to address some of the institutional and administrative challenges confronting small businesses, particularly those seeking to formalise their operations, register products and meet the standards required for commercial expansion.
“To empower MSMEs to thrive in a global economy by providing innovative solutions and tailored support services to foster growth, sustainability, competitiveness, and job creation.”
C.E.O of Ghana Enterprise Agency, Ms Margaret Ansei
Bringing Regulatory Support Within Reach
Under the arrangement, entrepreneurs will be able to access FDA-related services through selected GEA offices instead of relying exclusively on direct engagement with the regulatory authority.
The intervention is particularly relevant to businesses operating outside major commercial centres, where accessing specialised regulatory information and navigating administrative procedures can be challenging.
The FDA’s food registration framework, for instance, provides for the processing of regular applications within 30 working days, although applications requiring laboratory confirmation and site verification may involve additional procedures.
The new partnership creates an additional institutional channel through which entrepreneurs can obtain information about such programmes and receive assistance in understanding the steps towards compliance.
According to the FDA, the Progressive Licensing Scheme is designed to help smaller manufacturers improve their production facilities and meet the standards necessary for the manufacture of regulated products.
“Progressive Licensing Scheme (PLS): Process applications for new, renewal and variation applications for small and cottaged industries aimed at accelerating the growth of local industries.”
Food and Drugs Authority
Formalisation and Market Competitiveness
Beyond improving access to regulatory services, the agreement addresses a broader challenge within Ghana’s enterprise development landscape: the transition from informal business operations to structured and compliant enterprises.
Also, small manufacturers, obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals can determine whether their products can be distributed through established retail outlets, supermarkets and other formal commercial channels.
Businesses producing packaged foods, cosmetics, household chemicals and other FDA regulated products must satisfy the relevant requirements before their products can legally enter the market.
The absence of appropriate certification can restrict their distribution opportunities, affect consumer confidence and limit their ability to establish relationships with larger retailers and institutional buyers.
By bringing regulatory guidance closer to entrepreneurs, the GEA-FDA collaboration is expected to improve awareness of compliance obligations and encourage businesses to address regulatory requirements earlier in their development.
This is significant given the economic importance of MSMEs to Ghana’s private sector.
GEA, established under the Ghana Enterprises Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1043), is mandated to promote and develop micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthen their competitiveness and facilitate access to professional and institutional support services.
The Agency’s publicly reported institutional figures indicate that its interventions have reached more than one million beneficiaries, with over 71,000 jobs created and more than 41,000 new businesses recorded.
Its national institutional network, comprising 224 district offices and 39 resource centres, also provides an existing platform through which enterprise development services can reach businesses across different communities.
The collaboration with the FDA therefore creates an opportunity to integrate regulatory assistance into an established business support structure.
“The Agency shall establish a service delivery network to assist micro, small and medium sized enterprises.”
C.E.O of Ghana Enterprise Agency, Ms Margaret Ansei
Strengthening Local Production and Consumer Protection
The partnership also has implications for Ghana’s industrialisation and local production agenda, particularly efforts to increase the number of locally manufactured products that can compete in formal markets.
Regulatory compliance is an important part of building a competitive manufacturing sector. Businesses must demonstrate that their products are safe, properly labelled and manufactured under acceptable conditions before they can gain access to regulated markets.
For the FDA, extending its engagement through GEA offices provides another opportunity to strengthen public education, improve compliance awareness and support local manufacturers without compromising its consumer protection mandate.
The authority’s regulatory responsibilities cover food, medicines, herbal products, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemical substances and other regulated products under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
Its Progressive Licensing Scheme and other industry-support initiatives demonstrate an existing commitment to helping smaller manufacturers meet regulatory standards while maintaining product safety.
The FDA has also established a digital regulatory management platform through which businesses can submit applications, track their progress and access various regulatory services, including product registration, premises licensing and import and export permits.
The GEA partnership could complement these existing arrangements by providing physical access points where entrepreneurs receive guidance before and during their applications.
“The FDA seeks to have at least 60% of made-in-Ghana products in A-rated supermarkets in Ghana.”
Food and Drugs Authority
The agreement reflects Ms. Ansei’s commitment to institutional partnerships that provide practical solutions to the operational difficulties facing Ghanaian enterprises.
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