When I joined the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) nearly a decade ago, one question echoed repeatedly from ordinary Ghanaians:“Who is protecting us at the fuel pump, at the market, or when we buy local produce by the ‘olonka’?”
It was a valid concern at the time, and it remains so today. People could sense they were being shortchanged, even if they couldn’t explain exactly how. Today, I’m proud to say: help is not only on the way—it’s already being deployed.
Earlier this month in Koforidua, I witnessed the quiet birth of a national revolution—one that, I believe, will transform trade and fairness in Ghana for generations to come. The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness, and the GSA, has launched a national training programme for 350 new Trading Standards Inspectors (TSIs).
But this isn’t just another training exercise. It is the execution of a Presidential Directive, and a bold signal of national resolve.
Back in July 2023, when I retired as Head of Public Relations at the GSA, we were already advocating for stronger enforcement, broader visibility of standards, and deeper consumer protection. Today, under the resolute leadership of Trade Minister Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and GSA Director-General Prof. Alex Dodoo, that vision is being realised.
And here’s the clincher: President John Dramani Mahama himself is expected to officially launch this enhanced TSI programme in the coming weeks. That alone speaks volumes.
Why TSIs Matter
To grasp the significance of this initiative, you must first understand the role of TSIs.
They are not bureaucrats. They are frontline defenders of the Ghanaian consumer. TSIs inspect petrol pumps to ensure you receive the exact volume you pay for. They check market scales for accuracy. They verify your electricity meter, ensuring that what you pay ECG reflects what you actually consumed. They scrutinise imported goods to confirm safety and quality standards.
In a 24-hour economy—an idea President Mahama has confidently championed—we need 24-hour standards enforcement. Otherwise, we risk building prosperity on a foundation of sand.
Currently, Ghana has fewer than 200 enforcement officers spread across 16 Regions and 261 Districts. We need a minimum of 2,000 TSIs nationwide. This new cohort of 350 is a strong step forward. They are being equipped to enforce the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078)—a groundbreaking legal framework that gives real teeth to their work
Beyond the ‘Olonka Economy’
For far too long, Ghana has operated a two-tier trade system: one modern and measured, the other archaic and often exploitative.
Farmers bring their produce to market only to be shortchanged by crude, inconsistent measures like the “olonka” or “grawa.” Consumers purchase goods without any guarantee of quality or quantity. That is not trade—it is tolerated injustice.
The enhanced TSI programme signals the beginning of the end for that broken model. Ghana is setting a new standard—literally and figuratively.
A New Era of Trade Justice
Prof. Dodoo captured it succinctly at the Koforidua launch: “To trade 24/7, we must police trade 24/7.”
Standards enforcement is no longer a peripheral task—it is central to Ghana’s economic transformation. It is about building trust, ensuring fairness, and creating a system where local producers, traders, and consumers all benefit equitably.
In my time at the GSA, I often spoke of the invisible hand of standards—how they affect everything from the fit of a screw to the dosage of medicine. But perhaps their most vital function is restoring dignity to everyday trade.
With the President’s impending launch, and the GSA’s growing regional presence and upgraded laboratories, Ghana is poised to take a bold leap forward.
Let’s not squander this moment. Let’s raise—and enforce—the standard.
Peter is a communications specialist, former Head of Public Relations at the Ghana Standards Authority, and a columnist for the Business & Financial Times. His column, Pete’s Corner, explores public policy, development, and governance from the perspective of a seasoned insider
