Kumasi, Oct. 3, GNA - The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiatives in collaboration with Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and CEPS and other regulatory agencies on Thursday held a forum for importers in Kumasi. The forum, which was under the theme "importation, inspection and clearance of high risk goods" was to educate importers and Ghanaians in general on the dangers associated with the use of unauthorised and high risks goods, which found their way into the country. Mr Kwabena Acheampong, Director of Testing at GSB, who addressed the forum, said the Board was established by the state to regulate the use of goods and create the necessary awareness on the usage and standardization of goods and services in the country.

He said there was a legislation, which banned the importation of used goods such as sanitary wares, underpants, LPG cylinders, air conditioners and others for commercial purposes because they posed danger to the health and safety of consumers and the public. Mr Acheampong appealed to the World Trade Organisation to recognize the role of international standard and conformity assessment organizations to improve efficiency of products on the market. He advised Ghanaians to desist from using unapproved goods and other electrical appliances since they could cause havoc in their homes, markets and communities.

Professor Kofi Agyekum, of the Department of Linguistics University of Ghana, said most of the imported goods found its way into the country through unapproved routes and appealed to security agencies to tighten control to check it. He appealed to importers and shipping agencies not just to convey anything and dump them on Ghanaians since high risk goods posed serious health problems to the people. Professor Agyekum also advised Ghanaians not to patronize such unwholesome goods to avoid contracting infectious diseases.