The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has opposed the Ghana Standards Authority’s decision to introduce the Ghana Easy Pass Programme.

It warned that the new import verification regime will increase the cost of doing business and ultimately push up consumer prices.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 6, FABAG described the mandatory pre-export conformity verification programme for imported goods as an unnecessary burden on businesses already struggling with rising operating costs.

“The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) expresses its strongest condemnation of the decision by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to introduce the Ghana Easy Pass Programme, a mandatory pre-export conformity verification regime for imported products destined for Ghana.”

The association questioned the need for the new policy, arguing that several state institutions already have the legal mandate to inspect and certify imported goods.

“The Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Standards Authority, the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and other state agencies already perform inspections, testing and quality assurance on imported goods.

"If there are operational challenges within these institutions, they should be strengthened, not bypassed through the introduction of another costly programme.”

FABAG said the programme would impose additional financial obligations on importers and businesses.

“This policy is simply adding another tax by another name. Importers will now be compelled to pay additional certification fees, incur extra administrative expenses, suffer shipment delays and absorb higher compliance costs before goods even leave their countries of origin. These costs will inevitably be passed on to the Ghanaian consumer through higher prices.”

The association warned that businesses are still recovering from recent regulatory changes and higher utility tariffs, making the introduction of another compliance regime particularly difficult.

“The ordinary Ghanaian will pay the price. Businesses have barely recovered from the introduction of the AI Publican system and other regulatory reforms that have significantly increased compliance obligations.

"At the same time, utility tariffs for electricity and water have recently been increased. Businesses continue to grapple with high interest rates, exchange rate volatility, escalating transport costs and expensive borrowing.

"The private sector cannot continue to absorb an endless stream of new costs without serious consequences for investment, employment and consumer prices.”

FABAG also expressed disappointment that the government had revived a policy that businesses had previously rejected.

“What is even more surprising is that the business community overwhelmingly rejected similar conformity verification programmes in the past after extensive consultations.

"Those objections were well-founded then and remain equally valid today. We therefore find it regrettable that government seeks to revive a policy that businesses have consistently opposed.”

The association argued that the policy contradicts government’s stated objective of improving the business environment.

“Government cannot genuinely speak about improving the ease of doing business while simultaneously introducing measures that make doing business more expensive.”

It added: “Government cannot seek to reduce inflation while introducing policies that directly increase the cost of imported raw materials and finished products. Government cannot encourage investment while creating additional layers of regulatory costs and uncertainty.”

FABAG appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to suspend the programme.

“FABAG respectfully calls on His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to intervene immediately and suspend the implementation of the Ghana Easy Pass Programme.”

It urged the President to direct the Ghana Standards Authority “to withdraw this policy and engage the business community in genuine consultations to find practical solutions that protect consumers without imposing avoidable costs on businesses.”

The association also called on business groups across the country to oppose the policy, insisting that Ghana needs “policies that encourage enterprise, not policies that punish it.”

It ended its statement with a blunt message: “THIS IS BECOMING TOO MUCH!”