FDA, GSA starts harmonisation scheme to boost industry, SMEs

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) have streamlined their regulatory and certification processes to reduce costs and speed up approvals for businesses and SMEs.

This harmonized approach, backed by both Boards, integrates testing, inspections, and data-sharing between the two authorities. Now, manufacturers only need to complete one set of procedures to achieve both regulatory approval and certification, cutting redundancy and saving time.

This initiative is expected to help SMEs expand within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by making Ghanaian products more competitive. Industry leaders and local businesses have praised the effort, with companies like Benyima Farms already benefiting through smoother exports.

Additionally, other African nations are exploring similar programs, inspired by Ghana's progress in fostering intra-African trade.