The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has called for the immediate suspension of the newly introduced Ghana Easy Pass Programme. The association warns this import verification regime will increase business costs, raise consumer prices, and weaken investor confidence.
FABAG argues that the mandatory pre-export conformity verification system creates another layer of cost in an already expensive business environment. The programme will impose additional certification fees, administrative expenses, and documentation requirements on importers before goods ship to Ghana. These added expenses will likely transfer to consumers through higher retail prices.
This policy comes at a difficult time for businesses, which already face high borrowing costs, utility tariff adjustments, and exchange-rate volatility. Businesses also contend with rising transport costs and weak consumer purchasing power. For the food and beverages sector, where imported inputs and finished products are crucial, increased compliance costs will quickly impact pricing, margins, and supply chains. Current economic conditions include annual inflation hovering around 23%, alongside benchmark interest rates above 29%.
FABAG's central concern is that the Ghana Easy Pass Programme duplicates functions already performed by existing state agencies. Institutions such as the Ghana Standards Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority, and the Ghana Revenue Authority already play defined roles. These include product inspection, quality assurance, import compliance, valuation, and revenue mobilisation.
The association believes the government should strengthen these existing agencies instead of introducing a new verification layer. FABAG appeals directly to President John Dramani Mahama to suspend the programme. They also request the Ghana Standards Authority reopens consultations with industry stakeholders.
This dispute highlights a recurring challenge in Ghana’s trade policy: balancing regulatory oversight with a competitive and investment-friendly business climate. The government has focused on restoring macroeconomic stability and reducing inflationary pressures. Any policy that increases the landed cost of imported goods could undermine these efforts by feeding into consumer prices. For example, the Ghana Cedi depreciated by over 15% against the US Dollar in May 2024, exacerbating import costs. Previous similar conformity verification proposals also faced strong resistance from the business community.
The new import arrangement could delay shipments, complicate compliance, and create fresh uncertainty for companies relying on predictable supply chains. Businesses have long complained that multiple checks, fees, and documentation processes increase the cost of trade. Such measures also slow the movement of goods through Ghana's ports. These conditions could detract from Ghana's attractiveness as an investment destination, potentially impacting foreign direct investment flows. Foreign Direct Investment stood at GHS 6.4 billion in Q1 2024, according to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
The government aims to improve the ease of doing business, attract investment, and support private-sector growth. Introducing measures that increase compliance costs and regulatory uncertainty contradicts these goals. This contradiction could undermine the credibility of broader reforms. FABAG maintains it is not opposed to product standards, consumer protection, or quality assurance. The association objects to creating an unnecessary and costly additional compliance mechanism. It advocates for a system that protects consumers without imposing avoidable costs on businesses or duplicating regulatory functions.