Dialogue between the GSA and the Standardization Authority on the registration fees of importers

Economic news for Friday, January 15, 2021

Source: Romeo Adzah, Contributor

01/15/2021

The Ghana Standards Authority and the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) held a stakeholder dialogue with stakeholders in the transport and logistics community on the implementation of revised fees and charges for registration importers by the Ghana Standards Authority.

The meeting was held on January 14, 2021 at the Ghana Shippers’ House in Accra. Representatives of the Ghana Traders Union (GUTA), Ghana Industries Association (AGI), Ghana Freight Forwarders Association (FFAG), Ghana Importers and Exporters Association, among others, participated.

The implementation of the new fees and charges by the Ghana Standards Authority was expected to have started in January 2020, but was postponed due to several factors including the need for new commitments and stakeholder buy-in.

GUTA President Dr Joseph Obeng and other stakeholder representatives at the meeting called for a stay of implementation of the new charges.

They mentioned the negative impact of COVID-19 on business and the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the main reasons for their position. They asked for time to allow them to recuperate in their businesses before the new fees were implemented.

The deliberations ended successfully with an announcement by the Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Professor Alex Dodoo, that his team will maintain the current fees and charges while continuing to explore avenues of consensus on the way forward. to follow.

“No change in fees. The charges have been upheld, ”he said, drawing applause from stakeholders.

He informed the meeting of his organization’s plan to introduce import certification for certain categories of products such as lubricants, electrical appliances, gas cylinders, among others.

GSA Director General (CEO) Ms. Benonita Bismarck thanked the Ghana Standards Authority for understanding the plight of the maritime public and for responding positively to their trade concerns.

The GSA, she said, will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that the interests of shippers in Ghana are always protected and promoted.

She called on the Ghana Standards Authority to do enough public education and awareness prior to the implementation of the import certification scheme to ensure that shippers do not incur additional fees and other charges. challenges due to insufficient information on compliance.