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🇬🇭 Ghana /Economy & Trade

GSA launches national Organic Certification Scheme

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) launched a national Organic Certification Scheme to help Ghanaian farmers access premium international markets.
  • The scheme provides an internationally recognized framework for certifying organic produce, reducing reliance on costly foreign certifications and promoting sustainable agriculture.
  • This initiative is expected to boost Ghana's agricultural development and position the country as a key organic certification hub in West Africa.

Ghana has launched a national Organic Certification Scheme, a move designed to empower local farmers and agribusinesses to tap into lucrative international markets driven by growing global demand for organic products. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) spearheaded the initiative, aiming to establish a credible and globally recognized system for certifying organic produce. This aims to reduce the dependence on expensive foreign certification bodies and foster sustainable agricultural practices across the nation.

Advancing sustainable agriculture through credible organic certification.

— Theme of the eventThe central theme under which the national Organic Certification Scheme was launched.

Professor George Agyei, Director-General of the GSA, highlighted that the scheme would support the production of safe and healthy food by encouraging farming methods that eschew synthetic fertilizers and prohibited pesticides. He noted that many Ghanaian farmers currently face significant costs and market access limitations due to reliance on external certification programs. Support from the German government, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and academic institutions has been crucial in developing this national system.

The global organic market, valued at over $220 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $380 billion by 2030, presents a strategic opportunity for Ghana. The new certification scheme is poised to enhance the competitiveness of local producers on the global stage and establish Ghana as a leading organic certification hub in West Africa. This will allow producers from neighboring countries to gain access to certifications recognized in major international markets, including Europe and the Americas.

Vastly important for the country to have its own certification system.

— Professor George AgyeiThe Director-General of the GSA emphasized the significance of a national system for Ghana's agricultural sector.

Professor Agyei also issued a stern warning against the illegal use of the GSA certification logo, announcing enhanced security features like QR code technology to combat fraud. Offenders face prosecution, as fraudulent marks can be detected through international testing and information-sharing systems. The GSA has established the necessary laboratory infrastructure and is finalizing implementation processes for the scheme.

The global organic market was valued at over $220 billion in 2024 and was projected to exceed $380 billion by 2030.

— Professor George AgyeiThe Director-General of the GSA highlighted the substantial economic potential of the global organic market.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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