Dr. George Crentsil, Executive Director of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), has said 286 importing companies had endorsed the planned implementation of the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (G-CAP) that would ensure products imported into the country meet mandatory regulatory standards.

He said although the implementation of the G-CAP was originally slated for October 1, the deadline had to be extended for further deliberations by the various stakeholders in the sector to enhance understanding and cooperation.

Dr. Crentsil said this on the sidelines of the second phase of stakeholders’ engagements in Takoradi on the planned implementation of G-CAP.

He said G-CAP was being implemented in some African countries including Nigeria, Burundi, Egypt, Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia with positive outcome.

He appealed to companies involved in importation of goods especially high risk products such as electrical appliances, machines and foods to make sure they meet technical regulatory standards.

Mr. Eugene Adakwa, Director of Destination Inspection Division of the GSA, said high risk products must be tested at the country of origin and issued with Certificate of Conformity (CoC) by SGS and BIVAG, two inspection companies accredited to conduct inspection and laboratory test outside Ghana before shipment to the country.

He said CoC was valid only for one consignment and for a maximum of 90 days from the date of inspection and any unsafe consignment imported into the country would be returned to the country of origin with the importer bearing the cost of deportation.

Mr. Adakwa said product quality was non-negotiable and GSA would not compromise quality at the expense of consumers.

“This will prevent a situation where the local market becomes a dumping ground for inferior and non-conforming products,” he said.

The Chairman of Takoradi branch of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Mr. Paul K. Mensah, told the GNA that outright implementation of G-CAP would cripple many importers since they would not afford the cost of laboratory test of their goods abroad.

He said destination inspection companies had been conducting physical inspection of goods imported into the country for many years and suggested they should be made to continue the good work.