Time to flush out substandard electrical goods

The Ghana Standards Authority’s renewed push to clamp down on substandard electrical products could not have come at a more critical time.

Across the country, fire outbreaks have become disturbingly frequent, leaving behind a trail of destroyed homes, lost livelihoods and, in some cases, tragic loss of life.

While the causes of fires may vary, one recurring factor continues to stand out, the widespread use of inferior electrical materials.

It is, therefore, both timely and commendable that the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is seeking to deepen collaboration with regulators, law enforcement agencies, importers, manufacturers and dealers to rid the market of such dangerous products.

As highlighted at the sensitisation programme in Accra, poor-quality cables, switches, sockets and other accessories remain a major threat to public safety. These are not abstract risks; they are real dangers sitting in homes, offices and shops across the country.

The reality is that enforcement has not been strong enough. Substandard electrical goods continue to find their way into the market, often because of weak monitoring systems, porous borders and the pursuit of profit over safety.

 Until these loopholes are decisively closed, the cycle of avoidable fires will persist.

Tackling this challenge requires more than periodic sensitisation programmes.

It demands sustained, coordinated and uncompromising action.

The Ghanaian Times is urging regulatory bodies to intensify market surveillance and ensure that offenders face strict sanctions.

Importers and dealers who knowingly trade in substandard products must be held accountable.

The law must not only exist on paper; it must be felt in practice.

There must be stronger collaboration between the GSA, the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association and other industry players.

 Regular joint inspections and continuous education are essential to raising standards and restoring professionalism within the trade.

The government must also demonstrate greater commitment by investing in systems that strengthen quality control at entry points and within local markets.

Preventing substandard goods from entering the country is far more effective than chasing them after they have already been distributed.

This is not merely a regulatory issue; it is a national safety concern.

Every faulty cable installed, every fake switch sold and every inferior socket used is a potential fire waiting to happen. The consequences are too severe to ignore.

We urge all stakeholders from regulators and dealers to consumers to play their part in ending the circulation of substandard electrical products.

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