The re-introduction of the weighing-scales
is to ensure uniformity in trading, eliminate disputes and price-related
ambiguities among trading partners, and facilitate trade between the country
and its West African neighbours where the use of weighing scales and measures is
well-established
Mr. E. N. A. Arde-Acquah, Director
Metrology Division, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), said: “We have held a
meeting with importers of weighing-scales, manufacturers and market women. We
will soon meet other stakeholders -- Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA),
the Information Studies Department and others.
“They [market women] are committed to
successful implementation of the programme,” he told the B&FT in an interview.
“All our neighbours use weighing-scales
in trading; there are even scales for cattle. We want to sell more as a country,
but if we continue to group and measure we will push away potential customers
to our neighbours. This [absence of
weighing-scales for trading activities] presents a barrier to trading with our
West African neighbours,” he added.
Prospective importers of NAWIs must
first obtain a pattern approval from the GSA before going ahead to import the
scales. The pattern approval requires the importer to register with the GSA,
present a prototype of the scales, and the technical manual for testing.
Importers will also need to submit an
International Organisation Legal Metrology Certificate of Conformity (IOLMC) to
the GSA
Non-Automatic
Weighing Instruments (NAWIs) are weighing instruments that require the action
of gravity to determine mass and require the intervention of an operator during
weighing.
Mr. George Omane-Twumasi, the Head of
Legal Metrology, explained that any scales imported for trading must be Class-three.
“The metrology characteristics [of class three] should indicate a serial
number, maximum capacity, the verification scale interval, and the number of
divisions should be equal to or greater than 500.”
Mr. Omane Twumasi added that -- to
ensure that scales are not tempered with by traders, all scales must have a
sealing facility. This will enable GSA and MOTI officials to identify all
scales whose seal have been be broken.
In
1960, by the weights and measures Act 255, the Ghana Police Service took over
the implementation of weights and measures activities. In 1991, the Ghana
Standards Board by LI 1325 became the governmental organisation responsible for
the administration and enforcement of weights and measures in Ghana.
Weights
and measures activity is currently under the ministerial control of the Ministry
of Trade and Industry (MOTI).
The
enabling law, the Weights and Measures Decree NRCD 326: 1975, provides the
legal framework for the administration of weights and measures.
The
law defines among other things the units of measurements, weights and measures
for trade and industry; and its administration and offences.
The MOTI earlier this year launched
the re-introduction of the weighing-scales for trading activities. The ministry
said in March that a directive will soon be issued for implementation of the
system by June 2013.
Source: B&FT
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