Joint inspection of imported goods at the port is set to take effect from June 1, 2018.
This means that the Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority will all inspect goods imported into the country simultaneously.
Vice President Dr. Muhamadu Bawumia directed the institutions to among other things begin the joint inspections by September last year as part of efforts to reduce the time spent by importers as well as monies paid in demurrages.
However, implementation of the directive delayed to allow for stakeholder consultations.
According to the Transport Ministry, government loses up to $400 million in demurrages annually.
Speaking to Citi Business News after a stakeholder engagement on EasyPASS and Port Efficiency, CEO of the Ghana Standards Authority, Professor Alex Dodoo said all is set for the implementation of the directive.
“The importers are complaining that the multiplicity of inspection by the agencies at the ports are causing trouble. So after meeting with the Vice president’s team days ago, the directive was that we begin the joint inspection next month,” he noted.
Professor Dodoo explained further that “the Ghana Standards Authority will be responsible for the testing and inspection of all products except goods regulated by the Food and Drugs Authority, such as food and medicine. Also, the GRA will be present for the billing and all these will be done at the same time.”
The Standards Authority has therefore signed an agreement with international firm, Bureau Veritas to help importers secure their Certificate of Conformity, CoC before their goods arrive, to speed up the inspection process.
The CoC is a mandatory requirement to ensure that goods imported are tested and approved to be original before they arrive in the country.
Professor Dodoo explained further that using Bureau Veritas for the CoC is voluntary as importers are allowed to use the services of other agencies for the testing.
By: Nana Oye Ankrah/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana