GSB sensitises media on standards

Accra, Aug. 9, GNA - Mr Adu Gyamfi Darkwa, Executive Director of the Ghana Standards Board (GSB), on Wednesday said effective implementation of metrology, standardisation and conformity assessment would enhance the nation's growth and social welfare.

He said they formed the three pillars of sustainable development and were used by both the public and private sectors to optimise production, health, consumer protection, environmental safety, security and quality.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop for media personnel in Accra, Mr Darkwa said standards provided many benefits to all aspects of human activity even though some of them might be invisible. The workshop is to assist the media to disseminate information on standards and other activities of the Board to uplift and maintain an effective quality framework for the delivery of quality goods and services.

The GSB, known in the 1960s as the National Standards Board serve as a third-party guarantee of the conformity of local products through national certification programme and to promote standardisation in industry, commerce and public health among other things.

Mr Darkwa said the GSB was responsible for the management of the nation's quality infrastructure involving Metrology, Standards, Testing and Quality Assurance (MSTQ), which formed part of the 10 thematic components of the Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP).

He said standards were agreements that helped to make life easier, more comfortable, secure and convenient adding that the adherence to standards would make the world a safer place to live.

Mr Kofi Nagetey, Chief Scientific Officer, who presented a paper on testing and its importance, said the GSB and other regulatory bodies checked the quality of drinking water, drugs and food for certification. He said textiles, leather products private and commercial vehicles and construction materials among other things were checked by the GSB. Mr J.C.T. Armah, Head of Certification, said the GSB had logos pasted on products to help consumers to select products from the market place. He said a green logo meant the product had met the standards by the Board while the red logo signified failure to meet standards.