Ghana has several pieces of legislation
governing food safety, including Public Health Act 2012 (Act 815) of the
Ministry of Health, which mandates the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to
provide and enforce standards for food safety. The FDA is required to monitor
and ensure compliance with provisions on food safety in collaboration with the
Municipal Assemblies and other agencies. The Act permits the FDA to develop guidelines
and regulations including various guidelines on inspections and monitoring for
industry compliance. Other regulatory and competent authorities are the Ghana
Standards Authority (GSA), Environmental Protection Authority, Fisheries
Commission, Veterinary Services Directorate and Plant Protection and Regulatory
Services Directorate (PPRSD) which are governed by various legislations and
legislative instruments such as Meat Inspection Regulation 2020 (LI 2405),
Fisheries Regulations 2010 (L.1. 1968), Registration and Licensing of Food,
Beverage and Entertainment Enterprise Regulations 2016 (LI 2238) and Plants and
Fertilizer (Aflatoxin Control in Maize Grain) Technical Regulations 2020 (LI
2428).
However,analysisofthe frameworks shows thattheroleofinstitutionsalongthefoodvaluechain, includingproduction,harvesting,post-harveststorage,processing,distribution,marketingand food
service, is not clearly identified. Thus, the National Food Safety Policy
adopted in 2021 sets out the roles of various institutions including the
Judiciary, Parliament, Ministries, Agencies and Departments and the private
sector in food safety management. To strengthen coordination among sectors, an
Intersectoral Food Safety Coordinating Committee(NIFSCC)hasbeenestablished under which theFoodSafetyTechnical WorkingGroupwas formed to oversee the implementation
of the strategic plan of the policy and to develop harmonized guidelines and
other operational documents. Already, the Food Safety Technical Working Group,
comprising all the regulators and competent authorities, has developed
harmonized import and export procedures for implementation and is assessing
competent authorities’ institutional mandates to streamline them, eliminate
duplication of efforts and ensure clear distinctions in mandates.
In addition to these regulators and competent
authorities, various stakeholders are involved in ensuring food safety. A
stakeholders’ net mapping conducted in Ghana identified 11 actor categories as
follows:
1. Global &
Continental Policy, Regulatory and Standards Stakeholders
2.Ministries, Departments and Agencies
3.National Regulators and Competent Authorities
4.Donors and Development Partners
5.International Research Organisations
6.Advocacy Players
7. Research,
Academia, and Professional Associations
8.Informal value chain actors
9.Formal value chain actors
10.Media
11.Consumers.
The analysis showed that all the food regulators and
competent authorities are mandated to regulate both the formal and informal
sectors. However, over the years, less attention has focused on the informal
sector due to various challenges including limited logistics and a lack of a
proper register of informal food actors.
Profile Of The Food Production , Agencies And Operators
Ghana
Ghana lies in the center of the West African coast and shares borders with the three French-speaking countries of Cote D’Ivoire to the west, Togo to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. To the south are the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. There are four distinct geographical regions. Low plains stretch across the southern part of Ghana. To their north lie three regions—the Ashanti Uplands, the Akwapim-Togo Ranges, and the Volta Basin. The fourth region, the high plains, occupies the northern and northwestern sector of Ghana. Like most West African countries, Ghana has no natural harbours. The two artificial harbours can be found in Takoradi and Tema to accommodate Ghana's shipping needs.
Ghana has a total area of 238,533 square kilometers. Its southernmost coast at Cape Three Points is 4 30’ north of the equator. From here, the country extends inland for some 670 kilometers to about 11 north. The distance across the widest part, between longitude 1 12’ east and longitude3 15’ west, measures about 560 kilometers. The Greenwich Meridian, which passes through London, also transverses the eastern part of Ghana.
The de facto population of Ghana is 30,792,608 made up of 15,610,149 females and 15,182,459 males. Overall, females make up 50.7% of the population and males 49.3%, giving a national sex ratio of 97 males for every 100 females. The national population density in the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) is 129 persons per square kilometer (Ghana Statistical Service, 2021). As at the year 2020, the percentage of rural dwellers were 42.65% of the total population. Within the same year in perspective, the aged (65 years and older) made up of 3.14%, those within the age range 15-64 were 59.73% and the age range of 0-14 years made up of 37.13%. The life expectancy for Ghana in 2021 was 64.42 years, which is an increase of 0.4% from 2020 (www.macrotrends.net). Projections by the United Nations indicates that the current birth rate for Ghana is 28.078 births per 1000 people, a 1.31% decline from 2021. Again, with projections, the country’s death rate is 7.087 per 1000 people.
o The agricultural sector comprising crop, livestock, fishery and forestry subsectors, is characterized by small-scale rain-fed crop and livestock farming systems with average farm size of less than 1.2 ha, accounting for about 80% of the total production.
o Smallholders predominantly adopt the use of rudimentary techniques, coupled with the small production units, prohibit economies of scale and leads to sub-optimal yields.
o Though agricultural activities in Ghana is smallholder-driven, there are key large scale crop producers and commercial farmers.
o The categories of crops produced, and respective annual production (in metric tons) have been listed below:
Industrial crops – cocoa (919,577 Mt), oil palm (2.5 million Mt), coconut, coffee (42,230 Mt), cotton, kola, cashew, soya bean
Starchy staples – cereals and legumes, cassava (20.8 million Mt), cocoyam (1.5 million Mt), yam (7.8 million Mt), plantain (4.7 million Mt), maize (2.3 million Mt), rice (1.3 million Mt), millet (182,000 Mt), sorghum (316,000 Mt)
Pulses and legumes – groundnuts (521,000 Mt), cowpea (237,000 Mt), soybean (177,000 Mt)
Crop Production
• Ghana produces several crops however major crops produced, in terms of staples and cash crops are cocoa, oil palm, cassava, yam, plantain, maize, groundnut, rice, cocoyam and sorghum.
• The purpose for production of these crops and respective percentages are,
o Industrial crops (e.g. cocoa, oil palm) - consumption only (13.1%), sale only (48.7%), consumption with minor sales (5.3%), sales with minor consumption (32.7%)
o Starchy staples (e.g. cassava, maize, yam, plantain, cocoyam) - consumption only (25.5%), sale only (4.1%), consumption with minor sales (23.4%), sales with minor consumption (47%)
o Pulses and legumes (e.g. groundnuts) - consumption only (28.8%), sale only (12%), consumption with minor sales (21.7%), sales with minor consumption (37.5%)
o Livestock farming in Ghana is focused on cattle, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry farming, however poultry farming is the most widespread.
o The main livestock production systems practised in Ghana the extensive, semi-intensive and intensive.
o Extensive and semi-intensive systems are predominant and accounts for about 95% practiced by small-holder farmers.
o The intensive is practiced mostly by commercial farmers in peri-urban settings, where animals are housed and provided with requisite care such as veterinary services and feed.
o The total livestock population in Ghana is 17,709,547, with the respective percentages for the livestock categories being, poultry (73.9%), ruminants (21.2%), non-ruminants (2.9%) and non-traditional livestock (2%)
o The main livestock reared in Ghana are monogastric/non-ruminants (e.g. pigs and poultry: chicken, guinea fowl, ducks, turkey), ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep) and non-traditional animals (e.g. snail and grasscutter).
o Smallholder farmers dominate livestock production, accounting for about 95% of the total, except for cattle production where large herds are reared by some cattle owners.
o The country’s annual meat production (in metric tons) per livestock categories is as follows; cattle (26,716 Mt), sheep (22,959 Mt), goat (28,727 Mt), pig (28,392 Mt) and poultry (61,496 Mt).
o The purpose for production of livestock per category (in percentages) is indicated below:
Ruminants (e.g. cattle, sheep and goats) – consumption only (6.4%), sale only (20.9%), consumption with minor sales (16.2%), sales with minor consumption (56.5%)
Non-ruminants (e.g. pig) – consumption only (3.5%), sale only (33.1%), consumption with minor sales (8.6%), sales with minor consumption (54.9%)
Poultry – consumption only (18.8%), sale only (6.4%), consumption with minor sales (27.6%), sales with minor consumption (47.2%)
Non-traditional animals – consumption only (10.6%), sale only (21.6%), consumption with minor sales (13.4%), sales with minor consumption (54.4%)
o The fisheries sub-sector comprises marine, inland and aquaculture fisheries, with annual production of 294,240, 73,628 and 76,620 respectively.
o Fishing is an important economic activity for the coastal communities and those around the inland rivers and lakes.
o Apart from providing livelihoods and jobs, it is important for food and nutrition security.
o Fish landings are decreasing for canoe artisanal fishermen. These are the smallholder fishermen whose households depend entirely on their fishing. This is due to over-fishing in Ghana’s marine waters by commercial fishing vessels, which are often foreign. Some engage in illegal fishing practices, which have detrimental effect on the fish stock in the marine waters.
o Artisanal fishermen are then left with reducing fish stocks.
o Aquaculture has become a lucrative business venture in Ghana.
o Most of the aquaculture ventures are on the Volta Lake with Tilapia being the dominant fish species produced (99.8%). In 2013, almost 30,000 MT were produced, which increased to almost 49,000 MT in 2016 and to about 60,000 MT in 2017. In 2018, a total of almost 80,000 MT was produced.
o Catfish production is low and shrimp aquaculture has collapsed.
o Data on the purpose for capture or rearing of fish is presently unavailable, however on an order of magnitude from 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 the highest), fish is captured or reared for sale (8), consumption (2) in Ghana.
o The agricultural sector comprising crops, livestock, fishery and forestry subsectors, is characterized by small-scale rain-fed crop and livestock farming systems with average farm size of less than 1.2 ha, accounting for about 80% of the total production.
o Pasture development is low and there are seasonal variations in the quantity and quality of feed available for livestock.
o Crop residues are often used in the dry season for feed, but these are often woefully inadequate.
o The policy and legal foundation of food control in Ghana includes Part 7 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) which mandates the Food and Drugs Authority to provide and enforce standards for food safety and it applies to storage, transportation, preparation, processing, manufacture, packing, packaging, and retailing of plant and animal-based food.
o The lead ministry responsible for food safety activities in Ghana is the Ministry of Health. Under Section 82 (b) of the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851, the Ministry, through its agency the FDA shall monitor through the District Assemblies and any other agency of state to ensure compliance with provisions on food safety.
o The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) permits the FDA to develop guidelines and regulations including various guidelines on inspections and monitoring for industry compliance.
o Plants and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803) establishes the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to be responsible for crop pest and disease management, plant quarantine, Pesticide and fertilizer regulation, seed inspection and certification.
o The policy and legal foundation of food control in Ghana includes Part 7 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) which mandates the Food and Drugs Authority to provide and enforce standards for food safety and it applies to storage, transportation, preparation, processing, manufacture, packing, packaging, and retailing of plant and animal-based food.
o The lead ministry responsible for food safety activities in Ghana is the Ministry of Health. Under Section 82 (b) of the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851, the Ministry, through its agency the FDA shall monitor through the District Assemblies and any other agency of state to ensure compliance with provisions on food safety.
o The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) permits the FDA to develop guidelines and regulations including various guidelines on inspections and monitoring for industry compliance.
o Plants and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803) establishes the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to be responsible for crop pest and disease management, plant quarantine, Pesticide and fertilizer regulation, seed inspection and certification.
o Plants and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803) establishes the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to be responsible for crop pest and disease management, plant quarantine, Pesticide and fertilizer regulation, seed inspection and certification.
o Part 7 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) which mandates the Food and Drugs Authority to provide and enforce standards for food safety and it applies to storage, transportation, preparation, processing, manufacture, packing, packaging, and retailing of plant and animal-based food.
o The Animals (Control of Importation) Act, 1952 No. 36 and the Disease of Animals Act, 1961 (Act 83) mandates the Veterinary Services Directorate of MOFA to be responsible for the prevention and control of the spread of infectious and contagious diseases among animals, conduct autopsy on dead animals. The Meat Inspection Regulation 2020 (LI 2405) and the AMR Policy. The directorate also requires an animal to be examined, inoculated, sprayed, dipped, washed, or otherwise disinfected or to undergo a period of quarantine to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease.
o Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) established the Fisheries Commission under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD). The Commission enacted the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.1. 1968) which among others, prescribe measures for the conservation, management, development, licensing and regulation of fisheries.
o Part 7 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) which mandates the Food and Drugs Authority to provide and enforce standards for food safety and it applies to storage, transportation, preparation, processing, manufacture, packing, packaging, and retailing of plant and animal-based food.
o The Animals (Control of Importation) Act, 1952 No. 36 and the Disease of Animals Act, 1961 (Act 83) mandates the Veterinary Services Directorate of MOFA to be responsible for the prevention and control of the spread of infectious and contagious diseases among animals, conduct autopsy on dead animals. The Meat Inspection Regulation 2020 (LI 2405) and the AMR Policy. The directorate also requires an animal to be examined, inoculated, sprayed, dipped, washed, or otherwise disinfected or to undergo a period of quarantine to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease.
o Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) established the Fisheries Commission under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD). The Commission enacted the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.1. 1968) which among others, prescribe measures for the conservation, management, development, licensing and regulation of fisheries.
o The Animals (Control of Importation) Act, 1952 No. 36 and the Disease of Animals Act, 1961 (Act 83) mandates the Veterinary Services Directorate of MOFA to be responsible for the prevention and control of the spread of infectious and contagious diseases among animals, conduct autopsy on dead animals. The Meat Inspection Regulation 2020 (LI 2405) and the AMR Policy. The directorate also requires an animal to be examined, inoculated, sprayed, dipped, washed, or otherwise disinfected or to undergo a period of quarantine to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease.
o Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625) established the Fisheries Commission under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD). The Commission enacted the Fisheries Regulations, 2010 (L.1. 1968) which among others, prescribe measures for the conservation, management, development, licensing and regulation of fisheries.
o The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is a voluntary business association with membership open to all registered companies engaged in manufacturing or the provision of services to the manufacturing sector.
o Sectors that AGI covers include agro-processing (food and beverages), agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, electronics and electrical, telecommunications, information technology, utilities, service industries, transport, construction, textiles, garments and leather, banking and advertising.
o At the end of 2019, AGI’s food and beverage sector has 110 registered firms grouped into 7 categories based on turnover. Category 1 firms have the highest turnover while category 7 firms have the lowest turnover.
o About 36% of firms are in category 7 while category 1 firms constitute 15%.
o The AGI also has the Agribusiness sector comprising 163 firms that provide various production and services delivery activities including food production, agricultural services, agro-processing, inputs provision, advocacy services and marketing.
o Seventeen of the firms belong to category 1, twenty belong to category 2 and sixty-five (representing 40%) belong to category 7.
o Ghana Tourism Authority’s 2025 Register of formal food establishment in Accra are as follows:
Fast food establishment Grade 1 (27), Grade 2 (33), Grade 3 (9)
Restaurants Grade 1 (85), Grade 2 (183), Grade 3 (39).
o Ghana Tourism Authority’s 2025 Register of informal food outlets in Accra are as follows:
Informal Outlet Grade 1 (198), Grade 2 (201), Grade 3 (5)
o The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) was established in accordance with the Standards decree of 1973 (NRCD 173) and is responsible for developing, publishing and promoting standards for food commodities and other products and processes in the country. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) A
o ct 2022 (Act 1078) gives the GSA more power to enforce standards and prosecute companies that do not adhere to them.
o EXPORTS: A total value of US$ 476,007,805 agricultural products was exported within the period January to December 2021. Within this same period processed and semi-processed products exports earned the country US$ 2,809,111,193.
***AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT GROUPS
Cocoa beans: Quantity Exported (2021): 595,319 M T; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 1,777,551
Oil Seeds and Nuts: Quantity Exported (2021): 374,255.4 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 320,913,337
Fish & Seafood: Quantity Exported (2021): 20,017.4 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 28,408,290
Cereals: Quantity Exported (2021): 1,735.7MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 646,374
Coffee/Tea/Mate/Spices: Quantity Exported (2021): 1157 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 2,720,960
Horticultural Products: Quantity Exported (2021): 242,853.5 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 119,357,701
***PROCESSED PRODUCT GROUPS
Cocoa Products: Quantity Exported (2021): 301,556 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 1,019,663,039
Prepared Foods, Beverages: Quantity Exported (2021): 161,956 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 340,778,331
Animal or Vegetable Oils: Quantity Exported (2021): 195,832; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 300,112,291
Prepared Cereals/Tubers: Quantity Exported (2021): 81,092 MT; Value (US Dollars) (2021): 39,081,316
• IMPORTS: A total of 8.9 million USD was spent on the importation of agricultural inputs in the form of vegetable seeds for sowing (USD 3,690,000), Soya bean Seed for sowing (USD 142,000), Seeds, fruits, and spores for sowing (USD 107,000), Seeds of forage plants for sowing (USD 46,000), Cotton seeds for sowing (USD 16,000), Maize seeds for sowing (USD 4,854,000) and Oats seeds for sowing (USD 3,000).
• Other products imported were cashew nuts, fresh apples, mangoes, grapes, oranges and cereals (rice-USD 721,366,000, wheat - USD 185,872, 000, maize - GHS 6,082,000, and oats - GHS 214, 000).
o Ghana produces several crops however major crops produced, in terms of staples and cash crops are cocoa, oil palm, cassava, yam, plantain, maize, groundnut, rice, cocoyam and sorghum.
o The main livestock reared in Ghana are monogastric/non-ruminants (e.g. pigs and poultry: chicken, guinea fowl, ducks, turkey), ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep) and non-traditional animals (e.g. snail and grasscutter).
o Fisheries
o GSA has WTO/TBT (National Enquiry Point, NEP) for the dissemination of trade-related information to potential exporters and importers. Information on food safety and quality requirements with regards to trade are also disseminated through the NEP.
o Ghana is an active member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (JEMRA, IOAC, JEFCA) in addition to the following international organization: ISO, IEC, OIE, IPPC and ARSO.
o For Codex Alimentarius Commission, Ghana became a member in 1966 and was appointed as Africa coordinator in 1974.
o Ghana was also elected as one of the three Codex Vice Chairpersons of the commission in 1986 and 2011.
o Ghana participates in the work and meetings of Codex Coordinating Committee for Africa (CCAfrica) and African Organization for Standardization (ARSO).
o An inventory of laboratories and their accreditation status is officially unavailable.
o However, there are several laboratories in various institutions.
o Some of the laboratories are quite accessible to the general public on commercial basis
• Animal Research Institute (CSIR)
- Types of tests conducted: ANIMAL HEALTH; BACTERIOLOGY
• Food and Drugs Authority:
- Types of tests conducted: FOOD SAFETY; BACTERIOLOGY
• Food Research Institute (CSIR)
- Types of tests conducted: FOOD SAFETY; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• Ghana Standard Authority
- Types of tests conducted: FOOD SAFETY; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• Ghana Water Company Limited Laboratory
- Types of tests conducted: PUBLIC HEALTH; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• Hospital laboratories
- Types of tests conducted: PUBLIC HEALTH; BACTERIOLOGY
• National Reference Laboratory
- Types of tests conducted: PUBLIC HEALTH; BACTERIOLOGY
• Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
- Types of tests conducted: FOOD SAFETY; ANIMAL HEALTH; PUBLIC HEALTH; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• University Laboratories:
- Types of tests conducted: FOOD SAFETY; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• Water Research Institute CSIR
- Types of tests conducted: PUBLIC HEALTH; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• University Laboratories
- Types of tests conducted: FOOD SAFETY; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY
• Veterinary Services Department
- Types of tests conducted: ANIMAL HEALTH; PUBLIC HEALTH; TOXICOLOGY; BACTERIOLOGY