The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has cautioned that delays in securing financial clearance for its operations could put Ghana’s export trade at risk, as more than GH¢60 million of its approved budget remains unused.

The Authority said the funding delays are affecting the replacement of outdated laboratory equipment needed to test products and maintain international standards.

GSA Director-General, Professor George Agyei, made the disclosure at the Authority’s 2025 Stakeholders Annual Conference, where he appealed to the Ministry of Finance to speed up the release of the necessary Commitment Authorisation.

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According to him, delays in obtaining the authorisation have stalled procurement and contributed to delays in testing samples submitted to the GSA.

“Most of the delays in sample testing we experience are because of commitment authorisation delays. Over GH¢60 million could not be exhausted because of clearance issues,” Agyei stated.

He mentioned that the situation was particularly worrying because several of the GSA’s testing machines had become outdated and needed urgent replacement.

The Director-General explained that the Authority’s laboratories are required to meet strict international standards and undergo regular inspections and audits to maintain their certification and accreditation.

He warned that failure to maintain those standards could have consequences beyond the GSA, potentially affecting Ghanaian businesses that depend on recognised testing and certification to access foreign markets.

“If we don’t meet the required standards, our certification and accreditation will be taken away. And when these things are taken away, it means Ghana cannot export,” he said.

He called on the Finance Ministry to speed up the Commitment Authorisation process to allow the GSA to procure the equipment needed to carry out its testing and certification responsibilities.

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Despite the operational challenges, he disclosed that the GSA recorded a GH¢29 million surplus, which he described as a sign of the Authority’s resilience.

He called for continued cooperation between the GSA, businesses and the public to strengthen standards and support Ghana’s trade and industrial development.

DR/MA

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