CDA Consult commends GSA and FDA for stronger safety enforcement

The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) has expressed its support for the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), praising the two regulatory authorities for their increased enforcement of safety regulations and their efforts to eliminate substandard products from the market.

Mr Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director, CDA Consult, praised the two institutions for the recent closures of shops dealing in unapproved and substandard goods, describing the move as a decisive step toward protecting consumers and restoring confidence in the marketplace.

Mr Ameyibor, in an interview with Modern Ghana News in Accra on Friday, noted that the intensified operations by GSA and FDA are in direct alignment with the CDA Consult nationwide consumer protection advocacy campaign “Verify Before You Buy", designed to shift the market dynamic from passive consumption to active verification.

The CDA Consult Verify Before You Buy advocacy campaign seeks to distribute consumer protection responsibilities across three actors: consumers, regulators, and law enforcement.

He stressed that “The action of the GSA and FDA tailored into CDA Consult’s ‘Verify Before You Buy’ advocacy is a clear demonstration that regulatory institutions are prioritising the health and safety of citizens over commercial interests.”

Mr Ameyibor highlighted that unchecked circulation of fake, expired, and non-compliant products has long posed serious risks to public health, livelihoods, and the integrity of Ghana’s business environment.

He said the latest enforcement drive signals a shift toward proactive, visible regulation.

While applauding GSA and FDA, Mr Ameyibor stressed that protecting consumers cannot be the burden of state actors alone; "There is the need for deeper collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations, media, trade associations, and the public to sustain the gains.

“State actors and non-state actors must combine efforts to ensure the protection of citizens. Consumers must also contribute by remaining vigilant, enquiring about products, and reporting any suspicious items to the appropriate authorities.”

The CDA Consult Executive Director urged market associations and informal traders to support the regulatory sweep by voluntarily removing unapproved goods from their shelves, arguing that consumer trust is the foundation of sustainable commerce.

He emphasised that the renewed enforcement comes at a critical time, with growing concerns about counterfeit pharmaceuticals, expired food items, and substandard electronics entering local markets.

Mr Ameyibor added that consistent enforcement will not only safeguard public health but also level the playing field for compliant businesses that invest in quality and certification.

“Regulation should not be seen as a barrier to trade but as the guardrail that keeps the market safe, fair, and competitive,” he added.

He said, 'Through CDA Consult’s Verify Before You Buy campaign, we are intensifying public education, working with broader stakeholders including the regulators, law enforcement bodies, manufacturers, dealers, consumers, and media to raise awareness on how consumers can identify approved products and exercise their rights.'

The CDA CONSULT Executive Director stressed that the campaign targets a problem that cuts across markets, shops, and online platforms: counterfeit goods, expired products, mislabelled items, and outright fraud that persist because responsibility for verification is unclear.

“Verify Before You Buy redistributes that responsibility across consumers, retailers, regulators, and law enforcement, creating a shared standard for safety and authenticity,” Mr Ameyibor stated.

He said the Verify Before You Buy advocacy framework is built on four interlocking pillars—education, awareness, action, and protection—and embeds regulators and law enforcement as the verification backbone and enforcement backstop.

Mr Ameyibor explained that the advocacy collectively moves responsibility for product safety from a purely supply-side obligation to a shared consumer-producer accountability model, adding that “the goal is to make pre-purchase verification a social norm while ensuring that violations trigger fast, credible consequences.

“It seeks to equip consumers with the knowledge, tools, and mandate to verify product integrity before purchase; the initiative reduces harm, eliminates dangerous assumptions, and drives higher standards across manufacturers, dealers, and retailers."

Mr Ameyibor expressed concern that most consumers failed to take the basic necessary precaution during purchases, stressing, "Don't use your money to buy a bad product which will end up affecting your health; just a simple verification could save your life.”

The CDA Consult Executive Director encouraged consumers to undertake basic purchasing protocols which include verification of batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, examination of the seals, and supplier legitimacy before purchase.

Mr Ameyibor stressed that the Verify Before You Buy advocacy is a holistic consumer empowerment initiative to disarm fraudsters in the market space and create a safe haven for us all.