National Quality Culture Drives Industrial Growth – QA Consult CEO

A Call for National Quality Culture

Johnson Opoku-Boateng, the Chief Executive Officer of QA Consult, has called for a stronger and more consistent national effort to nurture a quality culture that supports the country’s industrial transformation. During his welcome address at the Quality Summit and QA Consult’s 10th anniversary celebration in Accra, he emphasized the importance of government policies, regulations, and enforcement in shaping an environment where quality and trust become central to national progress.

He pointed out that while the country has made progress in industrial development, persistent weaknesses in enforcement and collaboration between regulators, academia, and industry continue to slow progress and weaken competitiveness. He argued that quality must move beyond a compliance checklist to become a mindset that drives both public institutions and private enterprises. A lack of consistent enforcement, burdensome regulations, and poor coordination often dissuade small and medium enterprises from seeking certification and adopting higher standards.

Nurturing a strong national quality culture should be a shared responsibility, according to the CEO. “The state must provide the enabling environment—predictable policies, infrastructure, and incentives that support compliance while industry must embed quality into every aspect of their operations,” he said.

The Quality Summit: A Platform for Dialogue and Innovation

The event, held under the theme ‘Advancing Industrial Excellence through Quality and Trust,’ brought together regulators, business leaders, academia, and development partners. It also marked the annual Quality Summit launch, designed to promote dialogue, share best practices, and inspire innovation within the quality and standards ecosystem.

“The summit will serve as a platform for engagement among regulators, private companies, and academia,” the CEO explained, stating that its goal is to position quality and standards as the foundation for industrial growth and global competitiveness. In addition, it will help drive the national conversation on sustainability and innovation as vital tools for transformation.

The Journey of QA Consult

The CEO revealed that his company started in 2010 with very limited resources but huge determination. From those humble beginnings, he said, it has grown into a respected name in quality consultancy, working with companies such as Unilever, Ghacem, and Chanrai. Its work spans ISO management systems, food safety, occupational health and safety, and regulatory compliance across the manufacturing, hospitality, and service sectors.

“Our mission has always been simple yet profound— to promote the quality and safety of products and services by providing cost-effective, world-class training and consultancy,” he added.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The CEO expressed appreciation to the event sponsors—CEVAG, Yedent Agro Group of Companies, Ribeth Hygenyk, GC Proodos, Joy Springs, Bel Aqua, and many others—for their partnership and commitment to promoting quality. He further urged stakeholders to consider the Summit as not just another event but a sustained movement that advances industrial excellence through quality, sustainability, and trust.

Government and Industry Collaboration

Meanwhile, the event’s special guest—George Adjei, Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)—acknowledged that small and medium enterprises need more practical guidance to meet quality standards and announced plans for GSA to partner with QA Consult to bridge this gap. He highlighted the authority’s ongoing efforts to modernize testing laboratories and digitize certification services. These steps, he noted, are crucial for harmonizing national standards with international requirements, thus ensuring the country’s products remain competitive, especially within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Focus on Agricultural Development

Ms. Paulina Addy, Director of the Women in Agricultural Development Directorate, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, detailed several ministry interventions, including the rollout of food safety guidelines for local assemblies and initiatives to promote good agricultural practices. She urged all sector players to view quality assurance not as a burden but as a vital investment with positive returns.

Goals of the Quality Summit

The Quality Summit seeks to achieve clear outcomes, including greater national recognition of quality as central to growth, actionable policy proposals to strengthen quality infrastructure, and stronger collaboration between regulators, academia, and industry players.