In Ghana, approval delays hinder laboratory equipment replacement — MyJoyOnline
In Ghana, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) cannot replace outdated laboratory equipment on time because of delays in government approvals and permits, although it has funds for procurement. The agency’s Director-General, Professor George Agoe, said that prolonged delays could affect laboratories’ ability to test and certify goods for export.
As MyJoyOnline reports, Agoe raised the issue during the GSA’s annual stakeholder meeting in 2025. He called on the Ministry of Finance to speed up the necessary approvals so that the agency could re-equip its laboratories.
Risk to accreditation
According to the head of the GSA, the agency’s laboratories operate in line with international standards and undergo regular inspections and audits. Reliable and modern equipment is necessary to maintain their accreditation.
Agoe warned that failure to meet the established requirements could result in the loss of certification and accreditation. In his assessment, this could affect Ghanaian exporters and their products’ access to international markets.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Product testing
In particular, fruit intended for the international market must undergo laboratory testing for contaminants, including pesticide residues and heavy metals. Without such checks, the products will not be able to gain access to the global market, the head of the Standards Authority said.
At the same time, the GSA reported positive results from inspections of local products. According to Agoe, last year the agency issued more than 1,200 certificates for Ghanaian goods, indicating that a significant share of the inspected products meets the required quality standards.
The head of the GSA stressed that maintaining adequate laboratory capacity is necessary to support the certification system and Ghanaian goods’ access to global markets.
