Importers have been advised to seek the interest of consumers, by importing quality, standardized products into the country. The advice was given by Prof. Kofi Agyekum a lecturer at the University of Ghana at the first importers forum held in Accra, under the theme “Importation, Inspection and Clearance of High risk goods. The forum which was organised by the Ghana Standard Boards in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and other regulatory bodies was aimed at addressing the challenges facing the industry. Prof. Agyekum who was the Guest Speaker for the forum, said Ghana has become a damping ground for foreign products largely because importers, driven by selfish desires to make profit, rather consider sub standard, voluminous products, at the expense of quality ones. This he said does not augur well for the country’s development, and amounted to “cutting our own tongue and chewing it.” He advised importers to be abreast with the laws that regulate their profession and abide by them. In his welcome address, Adu Darkwa the Executive Director of Ghana Standards Board accused importers of disregarding the rules, especially, those that pertained to “high risk goods”-imported goods that have serious health and safety implications on the consuming public, like food products, pharmaceuticals, electrical appliances and cables, LPG cylinders, used goods, arms and ammunition, vehicle spare parts, alcoholic and non alcoholic products. Even though some of these items have been banned, Adu Darkwa claims some importers illegally smuggle these products into the country, with the main reason of making excessive profit. These activities he said have led to needless fires in our homes, accidents on our roads, and the loss of human lives. While advising importers to desist from such acts, Adu Darkwa called on consumers to be weary of the products they patronise in the market. On his part the Minister of Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development, Papa Owusu Ankomah said the Standard board under the “policy of destination inspection” was in 2003 charged with the responsibility of inspecting products under the high risk bracket, to prevent the importation of inferior goods, dumping of cheap products, counterfeiting and piracy. But maintained the policy which was to ensure that inspection of imported products was carried out at the entry point, and protect consumers, has also been dogged with some challenges. He expressed the hope that participants at the forum will solve some of the challenges and arrive at a policy frame work that will streamline activities of importers in the country. Author: Nathan Gadugah