The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is partnering with the German Development Cooperation to establish an Organic Certification Scheme and a Testing Regime for Organic Produce in Ghana.
The project aims to address the issue of substandard goods being classified as organic foods on the Ghanaian market.
Professor Felix Charles Mills-Robertson, Chairman of the Board of the GSA, emphasized the importance of certification in fostering consumer protection and enhancing trade opportunities.
“Organic foods offer numerous benefits that make them a valuable choice for consumers,” Prof Mills-Robertson said.
“They typically have fewer pesticide residues and often provide higher levels of certain nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.”
“Moreover, organic foods often support local economies by bolstering smaller-scale farms and providing consumers with fresher, better-tasting produce.”
“The transparency of organic certification also gives consumers confidence that their food meets strict standards from farm to table.”
“Choosing organic is not just a personal health decision but also a commitment to environmental sustainability, ethical animal treatment, and community support.”
Prof Mills-Robertson noted that the presence of substandard products falsely marketed as organic had raised alarm among stakeholders.
“This initiative will empower participants in our agricultural value chain, ensuring that they meet the established criteria for organic farming certification.”
“By facilitating connections between local farmers and global markets, we aim to bolster their competitiveness and diminish trade obstacles linked to our agricultural products.”
“The introduction of this Organic Certification Scheme will open doors to fresh opportunities for farmers, producers, processors, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.”
Mr Simon Hochstein, Component Manager, Invest for Jobs, GIZ, said the project aimed at boosting Ghana’s agricultural sector by promoting compliance, facilitating testing, and enhancing the marketability of organic produce.
“The global organic food market was valued at around USD 181.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 446.2 billion by 2030.”
“This should begin to shift your focus as an enterprise in the organic agri-value chain. Pursuing green is not just a fad but an important element to the quality of life we can live and our survival as species in this world.”
Dr Paul Osei-Fosu, Organic Certification Project Coordinator, said the Scheme aimed to assess producers and processors against established systems for organic farming certification requirements.
“This is also to reduce trade barriers in relation to applicable standards for our agro-based produce.”
“The installation and subsequent implementation of the Scheme will position Ghana in the Sub-region to offer these services.”
“The scheme will provide opportunities for industry players to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) policy’s interventions.”