Regulatory Narrative 

The country possesses numerous regulatory bodies. The financial sector is overseen by the Bank of Ghana (BOG), whilst the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) enables the establishment of free zones in the country for the promotion of economic development and to provide for the regulation of activities in free zones. The National Labour Commission (NLC) aims to develop and regulate harmonious industrial relations and promote co-operation in the labour market. Other notable regulatory bodies include the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Commission on Culture (NCC) and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).  

Ghana is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).  

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is the National Statutory Body responsible for the management of the nation’s quality infrastructure embracing the three (3) pillars of Metrology, Standardisation and Conformity Assessment (i.e., Testing, Inspection and Certification).  

It does this through standardisation, metrology and conformity assessment activities. Some of these activities are testing, inspection and certification. These activities ensure that products or goods and services produced in Ghana, whether for local consumption or for export are safe, reliable and are of good quality. 

The Authority is legally mandated to undertake: 

• National Standards development and dissemination 

• Testing Services 

• Inspection Activities 

• Product certification scheme 

• Calibration, Verification and Inspection of Weights, Measures and Weighing and Measuring Instruments 

• Pattern approval of new weighing and measuring instruments 

• Destination Inspection of imported High Risk goods 

• Promoting Quality Management Systems in Industry 

• Advise the Ministry of Trade and Industry on standards and related issues 

The services rendered by GSA are essential for economic growth. This is because Standards bring technological, economic and societal benefits. They help to harmonise technical specifications of products and services making industry more efficient and breaking down barriers to international trade. Conformity to Standards helps reassure consumers that products are safe, efficient and good for the environment. 

For business organisations, Standards are strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as efficient as possible, increase productivity and help companies/institutions to access new markets. 

Within the GSA, there is the Metrology Directorate. 

The functions of the Directorate are performed by three (3) departments, namely: 

• Scientific Metrology 

• Industrial Metrology 

• Legal Metrology 

Scientific metrology- deals with the organization and development of measurement standards and with their maintenance. 

Industrial metrology- ensures the adequate functioning of measurement instruments used in industry, in production and testing processes, for ensuring quality of life for citizens and for academic research. 

Legal metrology- is the application of legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments.  It is the branch of metrology concerned with the implementation of regulations to ensure an appropriate level of credibility for measurement results whenever conflicts of interest exist. 

Another governmental entity is the Ghana National Accreditation Service (GhaNAS) which promotes trade & industry, protect health, safety and the environment. 

GhaNAS has been established to provide accreditation services to conformity assessment bodies. It is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179) with the liability of its members limited by guarantee. 

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) was established in August 1997 under the Food and Drugs Law, 1992 (PNDCL 305B). It is the National Regulatory Authority mandated by the public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) to regulate food, drugs, food supplements, herbal and homeopathic medicines, veterinary medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemical substances, tobacco and tobacco products. 

The Government of the Republic of Ghana has taken the decision to phase out Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) and to implement a Destination Inspection Scheme. Mandated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) regulated by the Export and Import Act, 1995 (Act 503) Export and Import (Amendment) Act, 2000. 

Appointed companies are:  

• Bureau Veritas/BIVAC International Ghana Limited link 

• Intertek link 

• SGS Limited link 

• Gateway Services Limited (GSL)/Cotecna link 

• Webb Fontaine (Gh) Limited link 

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List.