The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has opposed the Ghana Standards Authority’s decision to introduce the Ghana Easy Pass Programme.
The report indicates that the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has opposed the Ghana Standards Authority’s decision to introduce the Ghana Easy Pass Programme.
It further notes that 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 stated 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.
