…Mahama set to launch enhanced TSI operation
News Desk Report
In a bold affirmation of President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to overhaul Ghana’s regulatory infrastructure and promote fair trade, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has launched a major national initiative to train 350 new Trading Standards Inspectors (TSIs).
This forms part of a sweeping effort to enforce standardised measurements, ensure quality control and prepare the economy for full 24-hour industrial activity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Koforidua, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, emphasised that the training initiative is a direct presidential directive and a matter of national priority.
“This training is not a routine activity—it is a presidential directive in action. It represents our shared commitment to building a fair, competitive and industrially vibrant Ghana,” she said.
In a show of strong political will, Madam Ofosu-Adjare was accompanied by her deputy, Sampson Ahi, the Ministry’s Chief Director, Noah Tumfo and other senior officials.
Also present was the Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof. Alex Dodoo, who described the TSIs as the vanguard of a new regulatory era.
“To trade 24 hours, we need 24-hour inspection and enforcement. These TSIs are the boots on the ground,” Prof. Dodoo noted.
The new inspectors, who will be deployed nationwide, are mandated to enforce the Ghana Standards Authority Act 2022 (Act 1078). Their duties include verifying the accuracy of fuel pumps, market scales, electricity meters, inspecting goods at ports and calibrating hospital equipment.
Their presence will bolster the rollout of the President’s 24-hour economy strategy—ensuring safety, fairness and confidence in the domestic trade and industry landscape.
Highlighting the urgent need to replace non-standard measurements like the “olonka” and “grawa” with certified systems, the minister said: “This is about protecting farmers and traders. We are institutionalising fairness”.
The enhanced TSI operation—aimed at building a strong, export-ready, standards-based economy—is expected to be officially launched by President John Mahama himself at the end of this month, a move widely seen as underscoring the administration’s commitment to transforming the trade environment.
The GSA currently has 200 trained Trade and Standards Inspectors (TSIs), but estimates that a minimum of 2,000 are required to fully operationalise inspections across all 261 districts.
The Authority has also expanded its laboratory and certification infrastructure nationwide, positioning itself to support the 24-hour economy with cutting-edge tools.
“This training is not just a technical exercise—it is a nation-building initiative,” Madam Ofosu-Adjare concluded.
