By Elbie Sebleh
MONROVIA: The newly inducted and first Director General of Liberia Standards Authority (LSA), Mr. Kansualism Berk Kansuah has vowed to increase Liberia’s export and reduction of import-based commerce commodities through adequate and efficient laboratory or chemical and scientific testing.
Addressing a major gathering, Monday, May 13, 2024, when he officially takeover over as head of Liberia’s Standards Authority, Mr. Kansuah said Liberian products, particularly commerce commodities have not been able to compete in the global market through export due to either lack of standardized scientific and chemical testing to meet international standards.
He noted that most of the food or things that Liberians consume are responsible for eliminating their life sperm, something he assured, he is committed to change through quality testing to ensure that Liberian market gets the best products which meet international standards.
Mr. Kansuah urged Liberians to be a part of enhancing national trade, health, and safety by joining the Liberia Standards Authority in promoting quality infrastructure services through quality testing.
” Today is a very good day, a good day in the Sense that the Standard Authority has received its first DG. Liberia has a very good soil, climatic condition with good rain and forests. Our local farmers and entrepreneurs have been able to produce local products that they have and should be earning millions of dollars on the global market, however, they have not because it has not been tested to conform with international standards. We are going to do that to increase Liberia’s export and at the same time conduct a rigorous testing of commodities coming into our country to ensure they are safe and meet international standards,” he assured.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on May 3, 2024 appointed Mr. Kansuahlism Kansuah as Director General of the Liberia Standards Authority first boss and on May 13, 2024, he took office.
The program was graced by the National Consumers Council of Liberia, the Liberia Business Association, the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Association of Liberian Universities, and all stakeholders in Commerce, trade, agriculture, and academia.
Mr. Kansuah disclosed that this entity was created to ensure quality assurance with all of the goods and services that enter or come through Liberia commerce with the goals of ensuring that our people get the best goods and services.
The newly inducted Director General of the Liberia Standard Authority vowed that any goods that do not meet international standards will not be allowed on the Liberian market.
He lamented that Standard Authority takes full swing. He said that he will have consultations because he needs everybody. They will ensure that standard is practice.
Mr. Kansuah noted that in the coming days, he will embark on aggressive work and have consultations even with the staffers of the Institution.
According to him, when President Joseph Nyumah Boakai say “no more business as usual,” it means it will not take place, he is serious about it, because he is concern about the people wellbeing of the Liberian people.
Mr. Kansuah stated that recently there have been uncontrollable fire disasters across the country due to substandard electrical appliances that are coming into the country, something he assured, will no longer happen because his entity activate the electrical Lab to ensure that equipment are properly tested before getting on the market.
” Look at pharmacies and all which are not in good conditions. We will ensure that our people’s livelihood is secured and trade is promoted. We want to do all that we can to ensure Liberia is competitive in the global market, trade barriers are reduced, trade comes smoothly. People should get value on the products they are sending to Liberia. He expressed the hope that President Boakai will constitute the board of the entity when he appoints the two deputies. After that, we will begin full work.
Explaining the role and responsibilities of Liberia Standards Authority, he said that the Institution was formerly National Standards Laboratory under the Ministry of Commerce with the objective of conducting quality testing, both chemical and scientific on food products to meet international standards before being placed on the Liberian market.
Also, he noted that the Institution is committed to reducing trade barriers.
