The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has withdrawn its objections to the Ghana EasyPass Programme after the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) clarified that the initiative does not introduce new taxes, mandatory compliance requirements or additional financial obligations for traders and importers.
The decision follows a series of engagements between the two institutions, culminating in a joint communiqué issued on Friday, July 10, 2026. Both parties acknowledged that the concerns stemmed from a misunderstanding of the programme’s operational guidelines rather than the introduction of a new government policy.
The clarification resolves concerns raised by sections of the business community after GUTA questioned whether the programme would increase the cost of imports through additional regulatory requirements.
According to the communiqué, the Ghana EasyPass Programme is not a new initiative but an established conformity assessment scheme that has been in operation for the past 10 years.
“The Ghana EasyPass Programme is not a new policy or programme. It has been in continuous operation for the past ten (10) years as an established conformity assessment scheme of the Ghana Standards Authority,” the statement said.
The GSA explained that the recently published operational guidelines were intended only to provide greater clarity on the implementation of the existing programme and should not be interpreted as introducing new policy measures.
It further stressed that the guidelines do not impose new regulatory obligations, levies or additional costs on businesses.
“The operational guidelines do not constitute the introduction of any new policy, levy or regulatory requirement,” the communiqué stated.
The Authority also clarified that participation in the EasyPass Programme remains voluntary. Businesses that choose not to participate will continue to operate under the existing conformity assessment regime without incurring additional costs or restrictions.
The GSA added that certification costs for imported products are borne by manufacturers and exporters in the country of origin, rather than by Ghanaian importers and traders.
Following the clarification, GUTA acknowledged that its earlier concerns were based on an inaccurate understanding of the programme.
The Association said the objections contained in its previous petition resulted from “a misrepresentation of the nature and scope of the Programme” and confirmed that the issues had been “fully addressed to the satisfaction of both parties.”
As part of the agreement, GUTA and the GSA have agreed to establish a permanent consultative mechanism to strengthen collaboration on standards enforcement, conformity assessment and trade facilitation.
The platform is expected to provide a structured avenue for regular dialogue between regulators and the business community while promoting consumer protection, fair competition and greater certainty in Ghana’s trading environment.
The resolution is expected to restore confidence among traders and importers and further strengthen cooperation between the private sector and regulatory authorities in promoting quality standards and facilitating legitimate trade.
The Ghana EasyPass Programme is part of the GSA’s conformity assessment framework, which seeks to ensure that products entering the Ghanaian market comply with national standards, enhance consumer safety and improve the quality of goods available on the market.
