The Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof. Alex Dodoo, has firmly rejected claims that Ghana lacks quality and safety standards.
He insisted that the country has a comprehensive framework of 3,176 standards that have been published and gazetted by law. However, he acknowledged that enforcement remains a significant challenge.
“So the first question is this, I’ve heard several times in my beloved country Ghana that we don’t have standards in this country. I’ve heard it too many times.
“And because I’ve been asked this question, I want to answer this question directly without any equivocation. We do have standards in Ghana. Whether we enforce the standards is another matter”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
Prof. Dodoo emphasized that these standards cover a wide range of industries, from food safety to construction, telecommunications, and petroleum products.
He provided a detailed breakdown of Ghana’s adherence to global best practices, highlighting the adoption of international standards where applicable.
“As of today, the total number of standards that The Republic of Ghana through the GSA has published is 3,176. Published and gazetted by law. Out of these, 906 are Ghanaian standards”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
He further revealed that Ghana has adopted 95 International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) standards, 138 American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) standards, and 24 African regional standards.
In the telecom sector, the country follows 568 International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, along with 445 standards from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Prof. Dodoo noted that these standards are developed through rigorous processes, with 31 different technical committees overseeing their formulation and implementation.
“We have a technical committee for jewelry, TC 9, they have developed eight standards. We have a technical committee for petroleum products, which has developed 93 standards.
“Our technical committee for oil and gas, TC 22, has developed 192 standards. In the food sector, TC 1 has developed 487 standards, which the Food and Drugs Authority enforces”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
Legal Backing for Consumer Protection
Beyond merely developing standards, Prof. Dodoo emphasized that the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078) provides a strong legal basis for enforcement.
He pointed to specific provisions within the law that mandate the GSA to regulate the quality of goods in Ghana.
“The Ghana Standards Authority Act 1078, Section 3, Subsection B (iii) states, and I quote, that law mandates the Ghana Standards Authority to, quote, prohibit in consultation with the relevant government agency and in the national interest, the sale or manufacture of any kind of goods that does not conform to the applicable standards”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
He argued that this provision gives the GSA the power to act decisively against the production and sale of substandard goods in the country.
He also reassured consumers that the government was committed to enforcing regulations that protect their rights.
“In case of any disputes in weights and measures, the views of the custodian are final. I have been gazetted as the custodian, and I stand in that role”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
Meters Under Scrutiny
One of the most critical areas where enforcement has been lacking, according to Prof. Dodoo, is in the verification of measuring devices such as electricity and water meters.
He stated that Act 1078 makes it illegal for any entity to use trade, health, commercial or industrial measuring devices that have not been approved by the GSA.
He also revealed that the GSA had established a world-class electricity meter testing laboratory to ensure that all meters used by the public meet required specifications.
He urged consumers to verify the authenticity of their electricity meters and take legal action if they discover that their devices have not been verified.
“Now, if there’s a dispute on your smart meter, check whether it’s verified by us. If it’s not then it’s even being used illegally in the first place. And secondly, you can press charges”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
Enforcing Standards to “Reset” the Nation
Prof. Dodoo concluded by stressing that the adoption and enforcement of standards are critical to Ghana’s development.
He argued that having clear rules in trade, commerce, and industry would provide a foundation for the country’s progress.
“I prescribe to you that moving a nation forward relies on rules, rules of trading, rules on services. These rules, to the GSA, are called standards because they prescribe the specifications and how they can be realized”
Prof. Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
He further urged consumers to demand adherence to these standards, emphasizing that enforcement would only be effective if the public actively participated in holding industries accountable.
“Dare I say that if Ghana adopts standards, the nation will reset,” he concluded.
Prof. Dodoo’s address came at the World Consumer Rights Day launch, 2025, where he delivered a research report on the ‘State of the Ghanaian Consumer Study.’
His words underscore the urgent need for Ghana to ensure strict compliance across industries and not only set high standards.
While the country has developed an extensive regulatory framework, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on strong enforcement and consumer vigilance.
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