The CEO of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Professor. Alex Dodoo has called for urgent regulatory measures to control the production and sale of paints in Ghana.
He emphasized that while the GSA has oversight over paints, a significant portion of the market remains unregulated due to loopholes in classification and enforcement.
Speaking in a documentary, Prof. Dodoo provided detailed insights into the issue, explaining how certain paints escape regulatory scrutiny and outlining the steps being taken to ensure safety.
“Paints generally will be under the regulatory control of the Ghana Standards Authority. There is no doubt we have met importers, local manufacturers. We have conducted extensive studies.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
However, he pointed out that while the GSA has oversight over packaged paints sold in the market, the chemicals used in paint production are often misclassified, leading to regulatory challenges.
One major concern he raised was the presence of lead and other heavy metals in paints, especially those mixed informally in local markets like Circle and Abossey Okai.
“People bring in chemicals, package them, and retail them as ‘American things.’ It doesn’t mean they are coming from America, but that is the generic name used in town. These chemicals, which should be regulated, end up in paints being sold to the public without any oversight.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
One of the biggest challenges in enforcing paint safety regulations is the voluntary nature of most standards in Ghana. Prof. Dodoo explained that until a standard is officially declared mandatory, it remains a guideline rather than a legal requirement.
This means that even when market surveillance officers catch individuals mixing harmful substances into paint, the legal system does not have strong enough provisions to prosecute offenders.
“If a market surveillance officer goes into Abossey Okai and sees someone mixing paint with lead, there is little they can do because the law has not explicitly declared it illegal. We try to stretch the interpretation of the law, but most offenders walk free due to legal loopholes.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
The Need for Mandatory Standards
To address these challenges, Prof. Dodoo emphasized the importance of making paint standards mandatory.
“Ghana does have two standards for paints. If we get approval to declare these standards as mandatory, that means anything produced for sale in this country should conform to them. If they are imported, they should conform to them.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
The process of making standards mandatory, however, involves a series of legal steps.
“When the new Standards Act was passed in 2022, Section 32 specifically directed the Minister for Trade to declare any standard mandatory if it affects health, safety, or the environment. However, the process is tedious and must comply with World Trade Organization regulations.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
This means that a draft mandatory standard must be published in newspapers for two months to allow public feedback. After this period, it takes effect within another two months, making the entire process at least four months long.
Prof. Dodoo expressed deep concern over the health risks associated with lead and other heavy metals in unregulated paints. He pointed out that lead is particularly dangerous for children and young people, leading to severe health conditions such as brain damage, developmental issues, and learning disabilities.
He stressed that while certified paints in Ghana comply with safety standards, there is a large segment of the market where paints are mixed and sold without any oversight.
”The majority of locally manufactured certified products by GSA comply with the law. Imported products that come in legally also comply. But there are a lot of products in the system whose origins and safety we cannot verify.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
Steps Being Taken to Strengthen Paint Regulation
Despite the challenges, Prof. Dodoo reassured the public that steps are being taken to strengthen regulations.
“We have managed to sort out the cement issue. We have a regulatory regime for steel, and paint is high on our list, followed by car batteries. All these products pose significant health and safety risks if not properly regulated.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
He also mentioned that the GSA is working closely with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to ensure stricter control over the importation of chemicals used in paint production.
Prof. Dodoo concluded by calling for collective action from policymakers, industry players, and the general public to support efforts to regulate paints. He assured that within the next few weeks, the necessary steps would be taken to enforce mandatory standards for paint.
“We are getting there. We are not there yet, and I am not happy about it. I don’t sleep peacefully knowing that unregulated paints are being sold in Ghana. But we will get there.”
“If you are caught manufacturing paint without registration, you will be in trouble. It will take four months to come into effect, but once declared, we have the law to back enforcement.”
Professor. Alex Dodoo Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
The issue of unregulated paints in Ghana is a serious public health concern. Prof. Alex Dodoo and the Ghana Standards Authority are taking bold steps to ensure that only safe, certified paints are sold in the country.
While the process of making paint standards mandatory is bureaucratic and time-consuming, it is necessary to protect public health.
With continued efforts from regulatory authorities, the government, and industry stakeholders, Ghana will soon have a fully regulated paint industry that prioritizes safety over profit.
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