On September 24, 2014, Ghana’s Acting Minster of Trade and Industry, Major Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, ordered the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to postpone the implementation of the Ghana Product Conformity Assessment Program (G-CAP) until a comprehensive discussion and consultation with stakeholders has been completed. The Acting Minister gave the directive following numerous meetings with importers, manufacturers, and general stakeholders.
According to a release by Ghana Web, Major Dr. Mustapha Ahmed “directed that each interest group should nominate two representatives each to have thorough discussions with Ghana Standards Authority and agree to all the issues raised before implementation would be allowed. Major Dr. Mustapha Ahmed however charged the stakeholder groups to work with the Ghana Standards Authority to agree on the timeliness for implementation before November 1st, 2014.”
The G-CAP is an initiative aimed to prevent the entering of unsafe goods into Ghana by mandating a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) prior to export from the country of origin.
In order to obtain the CoC, exporters can chose one of the following three routes:
- Route A: Shipment Verification- Applicable to any goods and trader
- Products to be shipped have to be both tested and physically inspected
- Route B: Registration. Recommended for frequent exporters
- Offers a fast track certification process for goods with reasonable and consistent levels of quality through registration of such products
- Route C: Licensing. For certified products
- Open to manufacturers who can demonstrate existence of a quality management system in their production/manufacturing process
Products shipped into Ghana without a CoC will be subject to a 30% penalty.
The Ghana Web press release can be accessed online at:
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/artikel.php?ID=327540
Detailed information about G-CAP can be viewed at:
http://www.gsa.gov.gh/site/uploadedimg/Ghana%20Conformity%20Assessment%20Program%281%29.pdf
