Consumers asked to insist on high standards

Mr. Charles Amoako, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ghana Standards Board (GSB), has called on Ghanaian consumers to insist that sellers and producers put only high quality goods on the market. He said this would help reduce or eliminate sub-standard and poor quality goods and services in the system. Mr.Amoako was addressing the closing session of a two-day seminar organized by the Board for staff and students of the Schools of Engineering, Applied Science and Business of the Kumasi Polytechnic. It formed part of the Board�s nationwide outreach education programme for tertiary institutions on �national quality infrastructure� that was on the theme: �National Quality Infrastructure, the Relevance and Usage of standards for National Development�. Mr Amoako said the protection of the rights of consumers should not be the responsibility of government organizations alone but the public should also play a role. He said �What is needed is closer collaboration between the relevant government agencies, private business operators and general public.� Mr. John Oppong Otoo of Standards Division of GSB said the Board would ensure that high quality goods and services were provided and urged the students to serve as consumer advocates. Topics discussed included �National Quality Infrastructure and GBS Activities�, �Relevance and Usage of Standards for National Development�, �Consumer Protection Issues - the Role of the Ghana Standards Board� and �GSB Metrological services and their Relevance to Socio-Economic Development.�