FABAG Calls on President Mahama to Suspend GSA’s EASYPASS Programme, Warns of Higher Costs for Businesses and Consumers

The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately suspend the Ghana Standards Authority’s mandatory Ghana EASYPASS Conformity Programme, warning it will add more costs to businesses and increase prices for consumers.

The programme, which took effect on 1st July 2026, requires pre-export conformity verification of applicable imports before they are shipped to Ghana. A Certificate of Conformity must be obtained to clear goods at Ghana’s ports.

“This is becoming too much”
In a press release issued Sunday, FABAG described the policy as “yet another unnecessary burden on legitimate businesses” at a time when companies are already struggling with rising operational costs.

“We find it difficult to understand why government would seek to impose another layer of bureaucracy and cost on importers when existing regulatory institutions are already adequately mandated to ensure product safety and standards,” the Association stated.

FABAG listed the Food and Drugs Authority, GSA, Ghana Revenue Authority, and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as agencies already performing inspections, testing and quality assurance.

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

Cost Concerns
The Association argues the EASYPASS Programme amounts to “another tax by another name.”
Importers will face additional certification fees, administrative expenses, shipment delays, and higher compliance costs before goods leave their country of origin.

“These costs will inevitably be passed on to the Ghanaian consumer through higher prices,” FABAG said.

It also cited recent pressures on business: the AI Publican system, increased electricity and water tariffs, high interest rates, exchange rate volatility, and rising transport costs.

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

Call for Consultation
FABAG noted that the business community had previously rejected similar conformity verification programmes after consultations, and expressed regret that government is “reviving a policy that businesses have consistently opposed.”

The Association urged President Mahama to direct GSA to withdraw the policy and engage stakeholders to find “practical solutions that protect consumers without imposing avoidable costs on businesses.”

“We respectfully call on all business associations, chambers of commerce, importers, manufacturers, distributors and the wider private sector to unite in opposing any policy that unnecessarily increases the cost of doing business in Ghana,” FABAG said.

It concluded: “Our economy does not need more bureaucracy! Our businesses do not need more costs! Our consumers do not need higher prices! Ghana needs policies that encourage enterprise, not policies that punish it.”

GSA’s Position
GSA says EASYPASS is aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, ensuring conformity assurance, and enabling swift customs clearance. The Authority maintains the programme will reduce substandard imports and port delays.

With the policy already in force, industry groups are expected to intensify engagements with government in the coming days over possible adjustments.