The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has shut down ZXZ Company Limited, a Chinese-owned manufacturer of Moonda brand mattresses, located in Afienya-Accra, due to the use of uncertified materials.
This action followed a tip-off that led to a market survey uncovering the company’s use of substandard products.
During a joint operation involving GSA officials, the Ghana Police Service, and media representatives, it was discovered that the company was using polystyrene instead of the approved polyurethane for mattress production, violating GSA regulations.
Additionally, the firm was found assembling televisions, refrigerators, and sound bar speakers under the brand name Asano without the necessary GSA registration.
A Chinese supervisor on-site claimed that the materials were acceptable in China, but later admitted that the company lacked the required licenses to operate.
Although she stated that the factory had only been running for five months, an employee revealed that she had been working there for two years.
Head of the Special Products Unit at GSA, George Anti highlighted the alarming extent of unlicensed production in the facility.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to regulatory standards to ensure consumer safety, noting that using polystyrene for mattresses poses significant health risks.
“Ghana is open for business, but it must be done within the right regulatory framework. It makes no sense to invest heavily in establishing a facility and then operate illegally.”
The GSA has pledged to discard the substandard products and require the factory to obtain proper certifications and use approved materials before it can reopen.
Anti further stressed that while Ghana welcomes business, it must be conducted within the appropriate regulatory framework, and companies must comply with the law to avoid penalties.
In a related discovery, the GSA found a Chinese-operated plastic recycling plant without a license in the same industrial zone.
The authority has issued a warning to all foreign manufacturing firms operating without registration to comply immediately to avoid punitive actions.
Watch video below:
The Ghana Standards Authority has shut down a Chinese manufacturing company (GSY COMPANY) in Afienya involved in the production of unaccredited mattresses for the Ghanaian market using polystyrene.
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) September 21, 2024
Acting on intelligence, the Authority made a surprise visit to the location,… pic.twitter.com/AH9G7X581i