<<Print>>

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has tasked the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that metering systems are accurate.

He said the GSA ought to collaborate with organisations such as the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, Electricity Company of Ghana and Volta River Authority to live up to the satisfaction of the consumer.

He noted that measurement of energy performance was relevant, since it helped to prevent wastage in the system and maximised performance of  a particular system.

This was contained in a speech read on the minister’s behalf by the Director of Standard at the Ministry, Mr Robert Tandoh, at this year’s World Metrology Day  (WMD) in Accra last Wednesday.

Metrology, he said, was important for socio-economic development, since decisions were based on information from measurements, adding that “wrong measurement results lead to wrong decisions”.

World Metrology Day

This year’s WMD was on the theme “Measurements and Light”. It was chosen to align with United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International Year of Light and Light-based technologies.

It is a global initiative designed to highlight the key role light and optical technologies play in the daily lives of people.

More than 80 countries participate in the WMD to ensure that accurate measurements can be made.

Accurate measurement

Giving an overview of metrology, the Director of the Metrology Division, Dr Kwabena Acheampong, explained that it was necessary to calibrate, inspect weights and measure instruments for fair trade practices.

He added that the laboratories of the GSA would be upgraded to meet pressing needs of the country.

In an address read on his behalf, the Executive Director of the GSA, Dr George Ben Crentsil, stated that if Ghana was to maximise its expected income from the oil and gas industry, there must be accurate measurement.

“From the oil well, through pipelines, to tankers, terminals and refineries, the flow of oil and gas products need to be measured accurately,” he said.

He added that the key to achieving and maintaining excellent performance was the ability to interpret signals and measurement data from a meter.

Metering systems

For his part, the Chief Executive of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Mr Samuel Sarpong, advised Ghanaians to manage their water and electricity efficiently.

Moreover, he said, decisions to invest in solar energy technologies were based on accurate data for the efficiency of their lifespan.

He urged the public to report any difficulties they would  encounter with their metering systems.