Business groups slam Ghana Easy Pass scheme as hidden tax on importers

Industry opposes mandatory export verification scheme

The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has strongly rejected the Ghana Standards Authority's new Ghana Easy Pass Programme, describing it as an unnecessary burden that will increase operating costs and consumer prices. In a statement on Monday, the association condemned the mandatory pre-export conformity verification regime for imported goods, arguing it contradicts the government's stated commitment to improving Ghana's business environment.

FABAG questioned why a new layer of regulation was needed when existing institutions—including the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority—already conduct inspections and quality assurance on imported products. The association urged the government to strengthen these existing agencies rather than introduce additional bureaucratic requirements.

The group warned the programme amounts to a hidden tax on businesses, requiring importers to pay certification fees, absorb administrative expenses, face shipment delays and meet higher compliance costs before goods leave their countries of origin. FABAG cautioned these costs would be passed to Ghanaian consumers through higher prices at a time when the private sector is already struggling with rising electricity and water tariffs, high interest rates and volatile exchange rates.

The association noted that the business community overwhelmingly rejected similar conformity verification programmes during previous consultations, expressing surprise that government had revived the rejected policy. FABAG called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene immediately and suspend the programme, urging engagement with businesses on alternatives that protect consumers without imposing avoidable costs.

"Government cannot speak about improving ease of doing business while making doing business more expensive," FABAG stated, adding: "Our economy does not need more bureaucracy. Our businesses do not need more costs. Our consumers do not need higher prices."