I.
THE ROLE, STRUCTURE, AND SCOPE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS
GHANA STANDARDS BOARD
The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) is the national statutory body with overall responsibility for standardization
and the quality assurance of goods and services for both the local market and for export. The Ghana
Standards Board was established by a decree of the Government of Ghana, the Standards Decree 1967, NLCD
199, which was superseded by NRCD 173 of 1973. The Ghana Standards Board has seven (7) divisions,
namely, Standards, Metrology, Inspection, Testing, Certification, Finance and Administration.
AIMS
The aims of the Board are to:

establish and promulgate standards with the object of ensuring the high quality of goods produced in
Ghana, for local consumption and for export

promote standardization in industry and commerce

promote industrial efficiency and development and

promote standards in the field of public and industrial welfare, heath and safety.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the Board include the following:
 Development and Promulgation of Standards
 Adoption of International Standards
 Product and Systems Certification, Export Certification
 Conformity Assessment
 Chemical Analysis / Physical Examination of Products
 Determination of the Safety/Performance of Electrical Appliances
 Verification / Calibration of Weighing and Measuring Instruments
 Testing for Purity of Jewellery
 Issue of Pattern Approval Certificate
 Determination Multi-Pesticide Residue in Horticultural Produce.
NATIONAL ENQUIRY POINT (NEQ)
Ghana is a signatory to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has the obligation to implement the WTO
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) hosts the WTO TBT
Enquiry Point which was established in 1999 to serve as a repository for information on all WTO regulations
and notifications. The National Enquiry Point (NEQ) which is based in the Documentation and Information
Centre of the Ghana Standards Board (GSB), houses all the recent technical regulations and notifications from
the WTO. The Enquiry Point forwards any information on technical regulations of other WTO member states
to relevant stakeholders. It also assists in answering local and foreign enquiries on any existing, proposed or
adopted Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures in Ghana and other WTO
Member Countries.
The Ghana TBT & SPS website (www.sps-tbt-ghana.org) was established in 2008 to provide technical
information to exporters and importers on the subject of Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and
Phytosanitary (SPS) issues. This effort is being driven by the Ministry of Trade and Industry under the Trade
Sector Support Programme (TSSP). The site is to enable stakeholders understand how TBT and SPS issues
affect their trading activities and to keep them informed about relevant changes in international markets.
THE GHANA EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL (GEPC)
The Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC) is the National Export Trade Support Institution that facilitates
the development and promotion of Ghanaian exports. GEPC was established by NLCD 369 in 1969 as an
agency of the Ministry of Trade and Industry with the mandate to develop and promote Ghanaian exports. Its
focus has primarily been to diversify Ghana’s export base from the traditional export products. Currently, there
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are over 400 different Non-Traditional Export products categorized as Agricultural, Processed/Semi Processed
and Handicrafts. Export Trade in Services is a new and recent addition to the Ghanaian portfolio.
GEPC has a clientele base of over 3000 registered private sector exporting companies organized into 17
Product Associations. GEPC relates to her clients both on individual corporate basis and as groups/associations.
GEPC is positioned in the national export system as the coordinating pivot for the various public and private
sector trade agencies involved in export trade development and facilitation. GEPC acts as an interface between
these bodies and over 3000 clientele.
OBJECTIVES
 To facilitate the development and expansion of the supply base and to develop markets for NonTraditional Exports from Ghana.
 To provide relevant trade information to support competitiveness of Ghanaian exporters and other
stakeholders.
 To develop programmes and activities for institutional capacity building of the exporter community to
meet the challenges of the global market.
 To develop and coordinate a national export agenda through the harmonization of export related
activities by private and public sector agencies and other development partners.
STRATEGIC AREAS OF FOCUS
 In line with international best practice of Trade Promotion Organizations, and taking cognizance of our
local situation, the strategic areas of focus of GEPC are:
 Market Access and Development
Market Access and Penetration Programs undertaken as outward and inward Trade Missions, Contact
Promotion Programmes, Trade Fairs and Exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meetings and Conferences, Group
Marketing Schemes.
 Product Development and Supply Base Expansion for Selected Priority Products
Through the organization of contract production/supply schemes, establishment of Export Production
Village Schemes, Technical Advisory Services to facilitate product and market development as well as
supply chain management.
 Export Trade Information Dissemination and Communication support through the
maintenance of a Trade Library, trade publications and operation of an internet based Export Trade
Information Centre.
 Export Human Resource Capacity Strengthening through operations of an Export School that
organizes export management, product development, market development and other specialized trade
related courses, workshops and seminars for export companies, trade facilitators and businesses.
 Coordinating of Export Development Activities through consensus building with Stakeholders by
holding consultative Exporters’ Fora and round-table consensus building activities with various
stakeholders with the view to coordinating export related programmes.
THE GHANA EXPORT TRADE INFORMATION CENTRE (GETIC)
The Ghana Export Trade Information Centre (GETIC) was established in November 2005 to provide trade
information and referral services to the business community, particularly, the exporter community. It is one of
the seven (7) Reference Centres (RCs) and National Enquiry Points (NEPs) set up under a Joint Integrated
Assistance Programme (JITAP) and jointly implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). It has
been provided with tools for the business community to access and use trade information to make strategic
decisions. The tools include an interactive website for business information and communication, and a
strategically-located venue equipped with internet-connected computers for clients. Over the years, it has also
become an ideal location for trade conferences and workshops.
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Since its establishment, GETIC supports an average of four hundred and fifty three (453) clients every month
with information on markets, trends, prices and other referral services to assist them in their businesses. The
Centre houses the Ghana Export Trade Information System, which comprises an on-line export trade
information network incorporated in the Export Ghana interactive website, www.gepcghana.com. Information
available at this website includes the following: How to prepare for export business; Export Market Analysis
Tools; Trade Maps; Product and Market Access Maps; Information on GEPC and services provided to Ghanaian
companies, foreign buyers, and clients; A Directory of Ghanaian Exporters; General News on current export
trends.
II.
THE EXISTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GHANA STANDARDS BOARD AND GHANA
EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL
Ghana Standards Board (GSB) participates in Ghana Export Promotion Council’s Ghana Export School (GES) to
educate exporters on Export Quality Management, Phyto-Sanitory and Tariff/Non-tariff issues.
GSB (GSB) is also a member of the National Traceability Programme which is being implemented by the Ghana
Export Promotion Council.
EXPORTS
There are two (2) types of exports: (a) Traditional and (b) Non-Traditional.
Traditional Exports
Cocoa Beans
Timber Logs and Lumber
Unprocessed Gold and other Minerals
Electricity
Fresh Fish
Non-Traditional Exports with four main sectors:
Agriculture products e.g. Pineapples, Citrus, Ethnic Vegetables, frozen
and canned fish
Processed/Semi Processed Products e.g. Aluminum, Articles of Plastic
and Pharmaceuticals
Handicrafts e.g. Basket Ware, Home Décor, Beads, Drums
Services Exports- Education, Eco/Medical Tourism, BPOs, Financial
Services
NOTE: There are numerous other non-traditional exports.
NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY
In order to provide focus and direction for the development and promotion of the Non-traditional export sector
of Ghana, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is in the process of formulating a five-year national export
strategy, focusing mainly on increasing non-traditional export earnings from the present $1.6 billion to $5
billion by 2015. The strategy is expected to outline key priority export sectors of Ghana and recommend
actions that need to be taken to develop these export sectors in order to attain the goal of the Strategy. The
Strategy document is expected to be ready before the end of 2011.
FISH EXPORTS
The Fish Control And Export Project Department of the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has been mandated by
the European Union (EU) to monitor and control fish export to the EU. A number of officers from the Ghana
Standards Board were initially trained by fish experts from the EU for this purpose.
EXPORT PROCEDURES
The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC) collaborate as shown in
Table 1. Other Premises Inspection and Permit Issuing Bodies and their activities in export trade is outlined in
Table 2.
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Table 1 EXPORT PROCEDURES
STEPS
AGENCY
PROCEDURES
Ghana Export Promotion All exporters must pick and fill out GEPC Registration forms.
1.
Council (GEPC)
Copy of completed registration form shall be forwarded to Ghana
Standard Board (GSB) and the permit issuing agency, where
required.
Ghana Standard Board
Exporters will then contact the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and the
2.
(GSB) and Permit
permit issuing agency. where required, to arrange for inspection of
Issuing Agency
premises and production facilities.
(see Table 2)
Ghana Standard Board
GSB shall submit an inspection report with recommendations to GEPC
3.
(GSB) and Ghana Export and a copy to the exporter. GEPC shall complete the registration
Promotion Council
process for the exporter when recommended by GSB or other permit
(GEPC)
issuing agency, and furnish CEPS with an update of the list of current
exporters.
4.
Ghana Standards Board Ghana Standards Board (GSB) shall arrange for inspection of
(GSB)
and
Permit consignment to be exported and samples for testing in collaboration
Issuing Agency
with the Permit Issuing Agency for the product as in Table 2.
5.
6.
7.
Ghana Standards Board Based on the result of the tests and the labels submitted, the Ghana
(GSB)
Standards Board (GSB) will issue an Export Consignment Certificate
to the exporter.
Exporter
Exporter should present all relevant documents; Export Consignment
Certificate and Test Report (not mandatory) to CEPS at the point of
exit.
Customs, Excise and CEPS shall ensure that, the following requirements are met before an
Preventive
Services exporter is allowed to export any consignment.
(CEPS)
 Exporter’s name is on the current list issued by GEPC.
 Exporter has a valid Export Consignment Certificate from
Ghana Standards Board (GSB).
Test report, which is not mandatory, may be added to the export
documents depending on the requirements of the importing Country.
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Table 2 PREMISES INSPECTION AND PERMIT ISSUING BODIES
NO. PRODUCT
PREMISES INSPECTION &
LOCATION
PERMIT ISSUING BODY
1.
Antiques
Ghana Museum and Monuments Behind Accra Regional Administration
Board. If the items are made
opposite Calvary Methodist Church,
from animal parts, obtain permit Adabraka, Accra
from Department of Game and
Wildlife
2.
Manufactured/
Ghana Standards Board (GSB)
Okponglo near Legon Gulf House and
Processed Goods
some Regional Capitals
including
Processed Foods
Palm Oil /Salt
Food and Drugs Board (FDB)
Headquarters at Independence
3.
avenue, Ridge Accra and some
Regional Capitals
4.
Fresh/Processed Ghana Standards Board (GSB)
Headquarters at Okponglo near Legon
Fish
Quality Assurance Certificate
Gulf House and some Regional Capitals
5.
Coffee/Sheanut/ COCOBOD Quality Control
Headquarters in Accra CMB (Cocoa
Cashew Nuts
Division
House) near Kingsway bus stop and
Regional Capitals
6.
Raw Agricultural Plant Protection and Regulatory
Headquarters at Pokuase, Accra, and
Products, e.g.,
Services Division, Ministry of
Regional Capitals
Yam, Pineapples, Food and Agriculture
Mango,
Groundnuts etc.
7.
Live Plants
Plant Protection and Regulatory
Headquarters at Pokuase Accra, and
Services Division of the Ministry
Regional Capitals
of Food and Agriculture (MOFA)
8.
Timber and
Forestry Commission$
Legon Road near GIMPA Junction
Wood Products
(Forest Products Inspection
Division)
9.
Charcoal
Energy Commission
Spintex Road near Ghana Telecom
Customer Service Centre
10.
Rocks and Rock
Geological Survey Department
Head Office, near Ecobank /First
Samples
Certificate
Atlantic Bank, Ridge Accra and
Regional Capitals
11.
Wildlife, e.g.,
Permit from Department of
Ministries, Accra and Regional Capitals
Reptiles, etc.
Game and Wildlife
12.
Other animals
Veterinary Services of Ministry of Headquarters in Labadi, Accra
and Pets,
Food and Agriculture (MOFA)
including Snails
13.
Chemicals
Environmental Protection
Headquarters at Ministries, Accra, and
Agency (EPA)
Regional Capitals
14.
Pharmaceuticals Ministry of Health (MOH) /Food
Headquarters at Ministries /
and Drugs Board (FDB)
Headquarters, Independence Avenue,
Ridge, Accra and some Regional
Capitals
15.
Scraps metals
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Headquarters at Ministries, Accra and
(MOTI)
Regional Capitals
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EXPORT PRODUCT ASSOCIATIONS
Product Associations were set up GEPC for exporters. The umbrella body for these associations is the
Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE). FAGE is a private, non-governmental organization of
Ghanaian exporters and exporter associations. Its membership comprises over 2,500 exporting firms in a
range of sectors, including horticulture, seafood, crafts, timber, textiles, jewellery, and other manufactured
products.
Examples of associations under this body are the Ghana Assorted Foodstuffs Export Association (GAFEA),
Ghana Yam Producers and Exporters Association (GYPEA), Ghana Root Crops and Tubers Exporters Union
(GROCETU), National Fisheries Association of Ghana (NAFAG), Sea Freight Pineapple Exporters of Ghana
(SPEG), Horticulturist Association of Ghana (HAG), Vegetable Producers and Exporters of Ghana (VEPEAG),
Papaya and Mango Producers and Exporters of Ghana (PAMPEAG) and Ghana Association of Vegetable
Exporters (GAVEX).
III.
THE POTENTIAL FUTURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GHANA STANDARDS BOARD AND
THE GHANA EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL
The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC) are sister agencies under the
Ministry of Trade and Industry. The extent of collaboration between the two agencies is underscored by the
fact that a senior official from the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) serves on the Board of Directors of the GEPC.
The two agencies play a crucial role in promoting export of high quality products from Ghana. The following
are some of the ways in which this collaboration takes place:
1. As part of measures to streamline export procedures, for example, companies wishing to export first
have to go through certification procedures administered jointly by the two institutions and other
agencies also play some roles.
2. Successful exporting requires consistent quality management. Currently, GEPC is implementing a
National Traceability Programme in Ghana to ensure that products being exported from meet the
required international standards and that these can be traced to their source should there arise a
problem with the product. GEPC must therefore deepen linkages with GSB to facilitate the smooth
operationalization of the National Traceability Programme. When done successfully, products from
Ghana must be branded as ‘GEPC Certified’ to provide a quality seal. Kenya’s horticulture products have
attained international credibility because of a similar arrangement.
3. Another important area of collaboration between the Ghana Standards Board and the Ghana Export
Promotion Council is in the area of export capacity building. The Ghana Export Promotion Council has
an Export School for building the capacity of exporters in various subjects. The Ghana Standards Board
has been provided a permanent slot on the courses taught at the School.
4. The Ghana Export Promotion Council also serves on some important committees of the Ghana
Standards Board such as the Horticultural Task Force and the Standards Review Committee
5. Another important area of mutual collaboration is in the area of trade information delivery. The Ghana
Standards Board currently hosts the WTO National Enquiry Point on TBT and SPS issues. The Centre
provides notifications on changes in national standards. GSB must deepen synergies with GEPC through
the Ghana Export School and the Ghana Export Trade Information Centre to provide capacity building
and information delivery service to exporters on standards and related issues.
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