FABAG Urges President Mahama to Suspend Ghana Easy Pass Programme Over Rising Business Costs

The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has issued a direct appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to suspend the recently introduced Ghana Easy Pass Programme. The association has expressed strong opposition to the Ghana Standards Authority’s (GSA) new initiative, which mandates a pre-export conformity and verification regime for all imported goods. FABAG warns that the programme, in its current form, will inevitably lead to a sharp rise in operational costs for businesses and a subsequent increase in the prices of essential goods for Ghanaian consumers.

According to FABAG, the new import verification system represents an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy that duplicates the functions of existing regulatory frameworks. The association argues that several state agencies are already empowered and capable of ensuring product quality and safety, making the GSA’s mandatory pre-export checks redundant. By introducing additional fees and administrative hurdles, FABAG asserts that the government is undermining its own stated goal of improving the 'ease of doing business' in Ghana. The group highlighted that importers are already grappling with significant financial burdens, and this policy only serves to exacerbate the economic strain on the private sector.

The timing of the programme has also come under heavy criticism. FABAG pointed out that the Ghanaian business community is currently navigating a challenging economic landscape characterized by high interest rates, rising utility costs, and the lingering effects of previous regulatory changes. The association expressed disappointment that a policy previously rejected by stakeholders has been revived, suggesting that such moves discourage investment and threaten the survival of small and medium-sized enterprises. They contend that the added costs incurred by importers will be passed directly to the average Ghanaian, who is already dealing with significant economic pressure.

In its concluding statement, FABAG called for an immediate halt to the Ghana Easy Pass Programme to allow for fresh, meaningful consultations between the government and the business community. The association is urging the presidency to intervene and prioritize policies that support industrial growth rather than those that impose additional financial liabilities. FABAG remains adamant that the Ghana Standards Authority should focus on making operational improvements to existing institutions instead of creating new regulatory barriers that could stifle the nation’s economic recovery.