Accra: Ghana is in the process of establishing a National Metrology Institute to bolster the country’s status as a regional leader in scientific and industrial measurement, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has said. Speaking at the opening of the 18th General Assembly of the Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the country was building a metrology system designed to support domestic manufacturing and seamlessly integrate with global standards.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister highlighted the importance of this initiative to the government’s 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+), which aims to create over 1.7 million jobs. She noted that accurate measurements are crucial for ensuring the safety of goods, the reliability of services, and the fairness of trade. With support from the German government and strategic collaboration with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is leading a transformation of the national measurement infrastructure.
The Minister stated that significant progress has been made in expanding Ghana’s metrology capabilities, particularly in temperature, mass, and electricity measurements. These advancements will not only benefit Ghana’s industries and consumers but will also provide the broader ECOWAS region with high-quality, internationally recognized metrological services. Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to AFRIMETS, emphasizing its role in building a uniquely African metrology system to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhance competitiveness, and safeguard public health and safety.
President of AFRIMETS, Dr. Henry Rotich, remarked that the 2025 General Assembly exemplifies the collective commitment to advancing metrology and fostering collaboration across Africa. He pointed out that significant progress had been made over the past year in enhancing measurement standards and practices, positioning Africa as a key player in the global metrology community.
The Board Chairman of the Ghana Standards Authority, Hudu Mogtari, stressed the importance of robust measurement systems to support the growth of the AfCFTA. He described metrology as a strategic enabler that underpins quality assurance, competitiveness, and trust in markets. Acting CEO of the GSA, Clifford Frimpong, echoed these sentiments, stating that the event reaffirmed the commitment to advancing metrology for sustainable development across Africa.
The 18th AFRIMETS General Assembly, themed ‘150 Years of the Metre Convention: Prospects for Metrology within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),’ is a week-long programme featuring technical meetings, workshops, and industrial tours aimed at harmonizing Africa’s measurement systems and advancing the continent’s metrology agenda. AFRIMETS, supported by NEPAD, PTB, NMISA, and others, was founded to harmonize metrology across Africa.