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Measurement fulfils customer quality expectations –Dr Amponsah-Bediako
The Director of Corporate Communications of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Dr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, has stated that, metrology as a science of measurement is very important in all business transactions.
He said, “apart from making certain products meet standards and regulations, measurement fulfils customer quality expectations.”
Dr Amponsah-Bediako was speaking in an interview in Accra on the relevance of measurement as Ghana joins the rest of the world to celebrate 2020 World Metrology Day, which falls today.
The World Metrology Day is an annual event during which more than 80 countries celebrate the impact of measurement on our daily lives.
The theme for the day is: “Measurements for global trade.”
This theme was chosen to create awareness of the important role measurement plays in facilitating fair global trade, ensuring products meet standards and regulations, and satisfying customer quality expectations.
Indeed more widely metrology, the science of measurement, plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.
In the area of health, for example, Dr Amponsah-Bediako said, “we need accurate measurements to ensure that the various components of medicines are done in the right way to make certain the health of the people is protected.”
He added that, different products from various parts of the world were also measured accurately to satisfy the needs of people in other parts of the world.
Similarly, he pointed out that, “crude oil is measured accurately by producing countries before being exported to importing countries, so as to ensure fair trade.”
Across the world, national metrology institutes continually advance measurement science by developing and validating new measurement techniques at the necessary level of sophistication.
The national metrology institutes participate in measurement comparisons coordinated by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) to ensure the reliability of measurement results worldwide.
The International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) develops international recommendations, which aim to align and harmonise requirements worldwide in many fields.
The OIML also operates the OIML Certification System (OIML-CS) which facilitates international acceptance and global trade of regulated measuring instruments.
These international metrology systems provide the necessary assurance and confidence that measurements are accurate, providing a sound basis for global trade today and helping us to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.
BY TIMES REPORTER
News
Sammy Awuku urges Fourth Estate to follow GJA Code of Ethics when holding duty bearers accountable
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has called on the Fourth Estate to strictly adhere to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics when reporting on public officials and state institutions.
In a statement issued on 25 September 2025, Mr Awuku said a recent publication by the Fourth Estate about the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) Good Causes Foundation misrepresented facts about projects undertaken during his time as Director-General.
According to him, the article created the impression that funds meant for the underprivileged were diverted to “glamorous events and questionable enterprises” but ignored many life-saving projects, donations and community interventions funded by the Foundation.
He reminded journalists that Article 1 of the GJA Code of Ethics obliges them to provide factual, balanced and accurate information to the public and to cross-check their facts before publication. “For journalists of the Fourth Estate’s calibre who pride themselves in working in the public interest, it is only appropriate that their publications are factual and not misleading,” he stated.
Mr Awuku explained that the NLA Good Causes Foundation was established in October 2021 to rebrand the Authority’s corporate social responsibility arm and focus on health, education, youth and sports development, and arts and culture.
He said that during his tenure the Foundation built 20-seater toilet facilities with mechanised boreholes in several communities, funded surgery for a baby with spinal bifida, donated incubators and medical supplies to hospitals, constructed a smart laboratory for the Borstal Institute, provided scholarships to needy students, and supported football clubs and cultural festivals, among other projects.
Mr Awuku added that the Foundation was funded through the Caritas Lottery Platform, which generated about GHS11 million between October 2021 and December 2024 after its relaunch.
He dismissed claims that the Authority spent heavily on awards and luxury events, explaining that sponsorships accounted for only about five per cent of expenditure and were intended to attract corporate stakeholders and raise revenue. He also said many award nominations were turned down and that any awards received were not “bought” but recognised the work of his management and staff.
The MP expressed concern about the publication of the names of NLA staff and other beneficiaries, including patients, saying this violated their privacy.
Mr Awuku concluded that he served with integrity and helped turn the NLA’s losses into profits and urged the Fourth Estate and other media houses to present a full and balanced picture when holding duty bearers accountable.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Businessman Richard A. Jakpa has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
He is accusing former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame of trying to get him to give false evidence in court.
In his petition dated July 23, 2025, Mr. Jakpa said he is the third accused person in an ongoing trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to Mr. Jakpa, Mr. Dame contacted him after the prosecution closed its case and allegedly urged him to cooperate and testify in a way that would implicate Dr. Forson.
He further alleged that on March 26, 2024, Mr. Dame called him and suggested how he should answer questions about Letters of Credit during cross-examination, and even advised him to seek a false medical excuse to delay proceedings.
This, Mr. Jakpa mentioned, he refused to do so.
The businessman is asking the CID to investigate what he describes as an attempt to fabricate evidence and undermine the court process.
The former Attorney-General has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
