The Ministry of Trade and Industry has denied reports in the media that the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (G-CAP) will start in March or April, 2015.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and signed by the Deputy Communications Manager, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, said that no date had been scheduled and no approval had been given for the implementation of G-CAP.

Read the statement below

“NO DATE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR THE TAKE OFF OF THE GHANA CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (G-CAP)” - MOTI

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has noticed with grave concern reports in some sections of the Media that the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme will commence in March or April 2015.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry wishes to state categorically that no approval has been given for the commencement of the implementation of G-CAP.

In a letter dated 3^rd February, 2015, the Ministry of Trade and Industry directed the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to fulfil the following requirements before the take off of the programme;

1. All items pre-inspected under GSA’s G-CAP shall not also be post-inspected in Ghana at destination by Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).
2. Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) may inspect GSA’s G-CAP pre-inspected goods at destination in Ghana only when they are invited by the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to do so for specific containers/cargoes on a sampling basis.
3. Renegotiation of contract Terms with SGS, BIVAC shall be under the full oversight of Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry and his subsequent approval  Including the Revenue Sharing Formulae.
4. The rationale for including Intertch or any other Inspection Company shall be presented separately for decision making
5. Continuing and intensified public and stakeholder education shall continue before and after the date of implementation of GSA’s G-CAP.
6. The programme for announcements, public education, and implementation shall be cleared with the Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry.

It is worthy of note to the general public that as at today most of the conditions listed above have not been made.  Additionally, consultations are expected to be held between the GSA and the FDA to harmonize their operations and collaboration on the G-CAP project.

Upon GSA satisfying these requirements, the Ministry now intends to issue a 3month public notice before the official take off date of G-CAP, to give all stakeholders, especially importers, adequate time to adjust to the new procedures.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry wishes to assure all importers and the general public that it is committed to ensuring the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the G-CAP but will not authorize its implementation until all known potential stakeholders and issues have been satisfactorily addressed.

  SIGNED BY: NASIR AHMAD YARTEY

  DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER