Takoradi, June 7, GNA - The Government directive to importers in the textiles industry to use only the Takoradi Port as the port of entry for their goods, as a means to streamline their operations would take effect from July 1.

In this regard, the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) in collaboration with some major textile companies has completed a two-week training for 10 of its officers to upgrade their knowledge and skills to enhance efficiency.

Prince Isaac Arthur, Western Regional Officer in charge of the GSB, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency at Takoradi on Tuesday, said adequate preparation had been made to meet the anticipated increase in the volume of work.

The Board had paid 11.4 million cedis to secured additional office accommodation at the port and its renovation and furnishing, which was ongoing, would be completed before the stipulated date, he said. "GSB has a standby two-room office that can be turned into a laboratory when the need arises," Mr Arthur said, adding that at the moment any activity that required laboratory tests had to be done in Accra.

He however explained that some basic inspections and testing could be done conveniently in Takoradi.

Mr Emmanuel Boahene, GSB Meteorologist in charge of the Western and Central regions assured the public that the GSB was committed to ensuring that only good quality good were found on the market. He appealed for cooperation from the people and other stakeholders to ensure that the objective for designing the Takoradi port as the only port through which textiles could be imported into the country was achieved.