The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has commissioned 300 newly trained Trading Standards Inspectors (TSIs) to enforce fair trading practices and safeguard consumer rights across the country.
The ceremony which was held at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) headquarters in Accra last Friday was further testimony of the government’s efforts to ensure accurate measurements, quality control and compliance with the Ghana Standards Authority Act 2022 (Act 1078).
The newly appointed inspectors underwent a two-week intensive training programme at the Police Training School in Koforidua, Eastern Region, during which they were equipped with the necessary skills to monitor goods and services in markets nationwide.
Ms Ofosu-Adjare emphasised that the TSIs would play a pivotal role in Ghana’s push towards a 24-hour economy, ensuring that consumers had access to safe and reliable products at all times.
She explained that a 24-hour economy demanded a robust framework for trade, and those inspectors would help maintain high standards, build consumer trust and support economic growth.
Consumer confidence
The TSIs are mandated to inspect and verify the quality of goods in markets, enforce compliance with standards to prevent substandard products as well as the protection of consumers from unfair trade practices.
The minister urged the inspectors to perform their duties with integrity, stressing that their work was critical to the success of President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of a 24-hour economy.
GSA’s commitment
The Deputy Director-General of the GSA, Clifford Frimpong, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding public health and promoting fair trade.
He noted that with those inspectors deployed nationwide, the GSA was better positioned to curb the influx of substandard goods and ensure businesses adhered to regulations.
Mr Frimpong instructed the commissioned officers to reflect on their training as they awaited deployment.
“As you await your full enrolment into the GSA system, use this period to reflect on your training, build networks among yourselves, and prepare to make a meaningful impact the moment you are deployed,” he said.
Strengthening market integrity
The Director of Inspectorate at GSA, Jessica Nkansah, emphasised that the Trading Standards Inspectorate was created to address critical gaps in market regulation.
“As our economy grows, we need a robust system that protects consumers, ensures fair trade and upholds standards that safeguard public health and confidence,” she stated.
The TSIs will combat the proliferation of substandard, mislabeled and falsely measured goods that disadvantage both consumers and honest traders.
Enforcement powers
The inspectors have been granted significant authority under Section 44 of Act 1078, including rights to enter manufacturing and retail premises, inspect goods, collect samples, and review trade documentation.
Mrs Nkansah stressed that while TSIs could confiscate items for testing, they must issue receipts but were prohibited from direct cash collections.
“All penalties must be paid through official GSA channels — no inspector should ever personally receive payments,” she clarified.
Accountability measures
To ensure transparency, all TSIs will carry GSA-issued identification matching their Ghana Cards.
The public is encouraged to verify these credentials and report any misconduct.
“We demand professionalism from our officers,” Mrs Nkansah said, warning that incidents of bribery or abuse would be severely sanctioned.
The system includes mechanisms for reporting malpractice to maintain public trust in the new inspectorate.
Beyond enforcement, the TSIs will serve an educational function, sensitising traders on the standards and addressing consumer complaints.
“They are both watchdogs and educators,” Mrs Nkansah noted, framing their role as essential for building a commercial environment that rewarded compliance and protected consumers.
Source: Graphic Online
