Ghana is deepening reforms in its national metrology systems to better support local manufacturing and enhance trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Minister for Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, notes that strengthening measurement science and regional collaboration is crucial for aligning with international standards and boosting Ghana’s competitiveness.
According to the minister, the reforms are expected to create over 1.7 million jobs as part of efforts to drive industrialisation, improve product quality, and expand access to export markets across Africa and beyond.
She was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 18th General Assembly of the Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) held in Ghana under the theme “150 Years of the Metre Convention: Prospects for Metrology within the AfCFTA.”
“Through AFRIMETS, we are building a uniquely African metrology system that supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhances competitiveness, and safeguards public health and safety. AFRIMETS continues to be a beacon of regional cooperation, harmonising measurement systems, facilitating trade, and building technical capacity across Africa. Its work is essential to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, and Ghana is proud to contribute 20 to this shared vision.”
The AFRIMETS General Assembly brought together national metrology institutes and stakeholders across the continent to promote standardisation and measurement accuracy in support of Africa’s economic integration agenda.
“These efforts are aligned with the government’s newly launched 24-Hour Economy and 19 Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+), a transformative national strategy aimed at boosting productivity. Whether it is agro-processing under Grow24, manufacturing under Make24, or logistics under Connect24, metrology is the silent enabler that ensures quality, safety and efficiency”, the Minister added.
Delivering the welcome address, the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Clifford Frimpong stressed the critical role of standardised measurements in advancing trade and economic fairness across the continent.
“As Africa embarks on the transformative journey of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the role of metrology becomes even more critical. Accurate, reliable, and harmonised measurements are the bedrock of quality infrastructure, and they underpin trust in trade, safety in manufacturing, and fairness in commerce. Ghana is proud to contribute to this vision. Through the Ghana Standards Authority, we continue to invest in metrology capabilities and laboratory infrastructure.
Other speeches were delivered by Dr. Henry Rotich, AFRIMETS President, Mr. Hudu Mogtari Chairman, GSA Governing Board and Mr. Prince I. K. Arthur, Director – Metrology, GSA.
