Accra, June 28, GNA - Mr. Adu Darkwa, Executive Director of the Ghana Standards Board, on Thursday called for holistic and strategic policies to improve the use of standardization. He said Ghana's Standards Bill was before Parliament waiting to be passed to help in the implementation of effective use of standardization.

Mr. Darkwa made the call at a day's media dialogue organized by GSB in Accra to educate the media on services rendered by the Board as well as its roles and responsibilities. It was under the theme: "Standards and Regulation - Role and Challenges of the Ghana Standards Board." He explained that standardization was essential in the development of every nation and there was the need for all to ensure quality standards.

"Every procurement is based on standardization and to achieve development by the 2015 as envisaged by the country, standardization should be a priority." He noted that GSB was responsible for the development and publishing of Ghana standards in line with the international standards for all products including foods, drugs, cosmetics and management systems.

GSB is also responsible for coordinating standardization and all related activities within the country.

Explaining the relationship between the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and GSB, Dr. Darkwa said the two were responsible for ensuring the safety of consumers in the product areas of food and drugs but the two have distinct roles to play in the national quality infrastructure. "GSB is a national statutory body responsible for the management of the nation's quality infrastructure involving metrology, standards, testing quality management and conformity assessment and certification whilst FDB is mandated to operate as a regulatory body in charge of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and chemical substances." He called for the two institutions to be used to build effective national Standardisation Framework for their areas of work in keeping with international best practice.

Mr Francis Amoako, Principal Scientific Officer of GSB, who took the media through the National Quality Infrastructure and GSB's services and activities, said the Board offered efficiency in the production process to reduce cost and increase profit, assured quality to purchasers and consumers and better quality image of product. He noted that the Board also assisted companies and organisations to develop standards that were harmonized with those of the target markets.

Mr Amoako urged all to ensure the effective use of standards for the development of the nation. 28 June 07