Accra: The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation, has launched an organic certification scheme alongside a testing regime for organic produce in Ghana. The initiative aims to improve market access, ensure compliance with international standards, and promote sustainable agricultural practices across the value chain.
According to Ghana News Agency, the scheme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The theme for the initiative is 'Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Credible Organic Certification.' Professor George Agyei, Director-General of GSA, highlighted at the event in Accra that the certification would guarantee that products are safe, reliable, and of high quality for both domestic and international markets.
The GSA Organic Certification Scheme is based on ISO/IEC 17065, the international standard for bodies certifying products, processes, and services. It also aligns with the European Union Organic Regulation 2018/848, which governs access to one of the world's most demanding organic markets. The scope of the certification covers crops, horticultural products, fruits and vegetables, and other commodities that define Ghana's agricultural export identity.
Under the African Continental Free Trade Area, Professor Agyei emphasized that Ghana has the opportunity to become the preferred organic certification destination for the West African subregion. He pointed out that the Standards Authority Act 2022, Act 1078, provides the institutional mandate, while Ghana's location and existing trade relationships provide the operational foundation. He stated that a farmer in C´te d'Ivoire, a processor in Senegal, and an exporter in Burkina Faso should be able to access GSA organic certification recognized in major cities like London, Brussels, and Tokyo.
The global organic food and beverage market was valued at over 220 billion US dollars in 2024 and is projected to exceed 380 billion dollars by 2030. Europe accounts for more than a third of global organic consumption, and the EU's farm-to-fork strategy aims for 25 percent of all agricultural land in the Union to be under organic farming by 2030.
Ms. Eunice Agyeiwah Agyepong, Component Head, Invest for Jobs, GIZ Ghana, noted that the scheme would reduce the cost of organic certification for businesses that previously relied on foreign certification bodies. She added that the initiative would enhance confidence in locally produced organic products and position Ghana as a credible supplier of high-quality organic products within Africa and beyond.
Mr. Daniel Sowah, Assistant Industrial Officer, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, mentioned that the scheme would address challenges related to pesticides, which have been a bottleneck for some Ghanaian products.