Collins Sefa Weak enforcement, limited collaboration and burdensome regulations slowing industrial progress – Johnson Opoku-Boateng
Chief Executive Officer of QA Consult, Johnson Opoku-Boateng, is calling for a more deliberate and coordinated national effort to build a quality-driven culture that can support Ghana’s long-term industrial transformation.
Speaking at the launch of the Quality Summit and the 10th anniversary celebration of QA Consult in Accra, he said Ghana’s progress in industrial development continues to be undermined by weak regulatory enforcement, low collaboration among regulators, academia and industry, and the lack of a unified national direction on quality.
“Quality must go beyond a compliance checklist,” he stressed. “It must become a mindset that drives how public institutions operate and how private enterprises compete.”
SMEs discouraged by poor coordination and heavy regulation
Mr. Opoku-Boateng noted that inconsistent enforcement and burdensome regulatory processes often discourage small and medium enterprises from seeking certification or adopting higher standards. He said nurturing a strong quality culture should be a shared responsibility, with government providing predictable policies and infrastructure while industry embeds quality into operations.
Summit aims to advance industrial excellence and trust
Held under the theme “Advancing Industrial Excellence through Quality and Trust,” the event brought together regulators, academics, business leaders and development partners. The annual Quality Summit aims to deepen dialogue, share best practices, and strengthen the country’s quality and standards ecosystem.
“The summit will serve as a platform for engagement between regulators, private companies and academia,” he said. “Our goal is to position quality and standards as the foundation for industrial growth and global competitiveness.”
QA Consult marks a decade of growth
Reflecting on QA Consult’s journey, Mr. Opoku-Boateng said the company began in 2010 with limited resources but strong determination. Today, it has grown into a respected consultancy serving clients such as Unilever, Ghacem and Chanrai.
The firm’s work spans ISO management systems, food safety, occupational health and safety, and regulatory compliance across manufacturing, hospitality and services. Its mission, he noted, is to promote quality and safety through cost-effective, world-class training and consultancy.
He expressed appreciation to event sponsors including CEVAG, Yedent Agro Group, Ribeth Hygenyk, GC Proodos, Joy Springs and Bel Aqua, urging stakeholders to view the Summit as a movement for industrial excellence rather than a one-off event.
GSA, MoFA pledge stronger institutional support
Special Guest George Adjei, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), in remarks delivered on his behalf, acknowledged the challenges SMEs face in meeting quality requirements. He revealed that GSA will partner with QA Consult to provide practical support while modernising testing labs and digitising certification processes—key steps to harmonising Ghana’s standards with international benchmarks, especially under AfCFTA.
Ms. Paulina Addy, Director of the Women in Agricultural Development Directorate at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, outlined food safety initiatives and good agricultural practice programmes. She encouraged industry players to view quality assurance as an investment with long-term returns, not a regulatory burden.
Summit seeks key national outcomes
The Quality Summit aims to deliver clear outcomes, including:
- Increased national recognition of quality as essential to economic growth
- Stronger quality infrastructure and actionable policy reforms
- Deeper collaboration between regulators, academia and industry
