The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has procured advanced laboratory equipment worth over €530,000.
This investment is part of the assistance provided by the German Cooperation under the Invest for Jobs program, which aims to generate up to 100,000 high-quality jobs across eight African nations, among other goals, through a collaborative initiative.
The assistance is anticipated to facilitate the establishment of a certification framework and testing procedures for organic products within Ghana.
The equipment package, which includes a Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) system, a nitrogen generator, a centrifuge, and a comprehensive manifold, is poised to enhance the analytical capabilities of the GSA. This enhancement will contribute to the advancement of food safety and quality standards.
During a brief ceremony held in Accra to unveil the equipment, Prof. Alex Dodoo, the Director-General of GSA, highlighted that the acquisition of this equipment marks a new chapter for organic certification and agricultural standards.
He emphasized that the establishment of the organic certification framework and testing procedures, along with the arrival of the equipment, underscores GSA’s dedication to improving farmers’ livelihoods, ensuring consumer health, and achieving other objectives.
“The objectives of this scheme are clear. We aim to set forth stringent standards for organic farming practices and Global GAP certification requirements, thereby empowering our local producers to meet international standards 5 of quality and sustainability,” he stated.
By bridging the gap between local practices and global standards, he said: “We are paving the way for our farmers to access international markets while removing trade barriers that have hindered the growth of our agricultural sector. Agriculture, as we all know, is the backbone of our economy, contributing significantly to our GDP.
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to strengthen this vital sector by instituting robust conformity assessment activities such as organic and Global GAP certification schemes.”
With the implementation of state-of-the-art LC/MS/MS equipment for analyzing organic produce, he emphasized that GSA will have the capability to perform accurate and thorough analyses, guaranteeing the integrity of organic products.
Representing the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Mr. John Duti highlighted that the German Government is pleased to assist the GSA in its efforts to maintain quality standards and encourage regulatory adherence.
“Analytical capabilities are integral to ensuring the safety and reliability of agricultural products and services. By providing this high-resolution state-of-the-art equipment, GIZ aims to empower GSA to fulfil its mandate effectively and contribute to the overall well-being of the Ghanaian economy,” he said.
As part of the support, it was revealed that 10 GSA employees will undergo training in organic and global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) as scheme managers and auditors. This initiative aims to enable GSA to provide certification services at an affordable rate, particularly considering the high costs associated with international certification in the market.
Mr. Duti anticipates that over 100 agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will benefit from utilizing the acquired testing equipment and certification services.
The support initiative aligns with the broader commitment of the German Cooperation to advance sustainable development goals, including food security, just transition, trade facilitation, public health, and economic growth.
Under the ‘Invest for Jobs’ umbrella, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has developed a set of measures to support German, European, and African companies in investment activities with significant employment impact in Africa.
The Special Initiative ‘Decent Work for a Just Transition’ offers comprehensive guidance, connections, and financial assistance to overcome investment obstacles.
The development objective is to collaborate with companies to create up to 100,000 quality jobs and improve working conditions and social protection in its eight African partner countries, namely Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The special initiative aims to make a targeted contribution to shaping the socio-ecological transformation of the private sector in line with a just transition and to create more and better jobs for women.