The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) is questioning the mandate of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to roll out the Ghana conformity assessment program without cabinet and parliament’s approval.
This is despite the suspension of the program on the request of the ministry of trade and industry after massive resistance by stakeholders.
The program was suspended by the Ministry of Trade and Industry five days before its scheduled implementation after a meeting between the ministry , stakeholders and the Ghana Standards Authority.
Several stakeholders including the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana as well as the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) among others have all kicked against the initiative.
Speaking to Citi Business News the President of GUTA George Ofori vowed to resist the implementation of the program in its current form.
According to him, any directive that involves payment of fees and penalties must be backed by parliamentary approval.
Early on the Acting Minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, tasked the Ghana Standards Authority to intensify its education on the program and present a report on November 1.
Meanwhile the Ghana Standards Authority is expected to outline a comprehensive plan on its sensitization efforts.
By: Rabiu Alhassan/citifmonline.com/Ghana