Ghana Standards Authority to intensify field checks on scales and fuel pumps – Bono East Regional Manager

The Bono East Regional Manager of the Ghana Standards Authority, Mr. Francis Ofosu-Koranteng, has reiterated the Authority’s commitment to protecting consumers through continuous education, monitoring and enforcement of fair trading practices across all sectors of the economy.

He explained that the Authority remains focused on ensuring fairness in trade by engaging and educating traders on scientific metrology, while also enforcing the law where necessary.

Speaking on the legal framework guiding the Authority’s operations, Mr. Ofosu-Koranteng referenced the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078), noting that it empowers the institution to regulate trade measurements and ensure compliance nationwide.

“We protect consumers and, as such, we constantly engage and educate traders on scientific metrology and fairness in all sectors. However, if we realize that a trader, despite all the training, deliberately attempts to cheat consumers, then we at the Ghana Standards Authority enforce the law as enshrined in the Ghana Standards Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1078)." He said.

He stated that the Authority deploys standards officers across the country to monitor trading activities and ensure that measuring instruments used in commerce are accurate and not manipulated to cheat consumers.

According to him, when officers identify traders who deliberately alter scales or other measuring devices to defraud consumers, the law is applied appropriately.

Mr. Ofosu-Koranteng explained that the Ghana Standards Authority’s approach to enforcement is largely corrective, focusing first on education and compliance rather than punishment.

However, he cautioned that repeated violations would attract strict sanctions, including the confiscation of scales or fuel pumps at filling stations, as well as fines imposed on offenders.

"This Act mandates us to operate in accordance with the law. For instance, we have standards officers nationwide who go around to ensure fairness in trade. If they discover that a trader has adjusted his or her scale to cheat consumers, then the law will be applied accordingly.

"We promote fair trade, so our first step is not always punishment but rather correction and education for those who fail to conform to our standards.

"However, repeated offences could lead to the confiscation of their scales or pumps, especially at fuel stations, as well as fines for the perpetrators." He stated.

He further announced that as part of activities marking World Metrology Day, the Authority will intensify field operations to calibrate traders’ scales and fuel pumps to ensure accuracy and fairness in all commercial transactions.

He stressed that the initiative is aimed at strengthening consumer protection and promoting trust in trade systems across the country.