FDA urges SMEs to meet standards for business growth

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is calling on Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana to prioritize regulatory compliance as a vital pathway to economic growth and access to international markets.

Speaking during a webinar organized by the UK Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) in partnership with WTS Nobisfields, Rhoda Appiah, Head of Communications and Public Education at the FDA, warned that Ghana risks losing critical foreign exchange if local products fail to meet export standards.

“If our foods do not meet international standards, we cannot export and we lose the chance to earn vital foreign exchange,” Mrs. Appiah stressed.

She urged MSMEs to view regulation not as a bureaucratic obstacle but as a strategic enabler that ensures product quality, consumer safety, and competitiveness.

“Regulatory compliance should be seen as a business development tool. It opens doors to both local and international markets, enhances consumer trust, and enables access to export revenue,” the head of communications at the FDA said.

The webinar, themed ‘The Role of the Food and Drugs Authority in Promoting Local and International Trade,’ highlighted the Progressive Licensing Scheme (PLS) as a key FDA initiative to support micro and small businesses through a phased approach to compliance.

Esther Amufa of the FDA explained that under the scheme, businesses can start operations at a basic compliance level and progress through a three-tier system; pink, yellow, and green before achieving full certification.

“Compliance does not have to be intimidating. The PLS allows businesses to grow gradually while meeting regulatory standards without being overwhelmed by costs or complexity,” she said.

Since its rollout in 2019, the FDA has registered over 10,500 products and licensed more than 2,300 facilities under the program.

The Progressive Licensing Scheme also complements the Buy Ghana Love Ghana campaign, which promotes locally made FDA compliant products.

Through partnerships with leading supermarkets such as Palace Mall, the FDA has facilitated the creation of dedicated shelves for Made in Ghana goods especially during festive seasons while offering businesses support in packaging, barcoding, and labeling.

“We want to make Ghanaian brands competitive. Our campaign is about more than marketing it’s about standards visibility and consumer trust,” stated Ms. Amufa.

Now in its 28th year, the FDA is internationally recognized, ISO accredited, and home to the largest accredited testing laboratory under one roof in Africa. Its work is benchmarked by the World Health Organization (WHO) and bolstered by partnerships with global regulators including the European Medicines Agency NEPAD and AVAREF.

According to Mrs. Appiah, the authority is expanding its regulatory footprint through all entry points, airports seaports and border posts, while adopting innovative technologies to streamline operations.

A major transformation on the horizon is the upcoming launch of a one-stop certification portal developed in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA).

The platform will integrate AI powered registration and harmonized certification to fast track approvals and enhance transparency.

Moderated by Theophilus Tawiah, Managing Partner of WTS Nobisfields and a lecturer at UPSA Law School, the webinar is part of the UKGCC’s ongoing dialogue series aimed at building a stronger regulatory environment for business growth in Ghana.

Mrs. Appiah concluded with a message to the business community: “There is no trade without standards. Compliance is not a cost it is an investment in the future of your business and a prerequisite for Ghana’s global competitiveness.”