The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has launched a national Organic Certification Scheme aimed at enabling Ghanaian farmers and agribusinesses to access premium international markets and benefit from the growing global demand for organic products.

The scheme is expected to provide a credible and internationally recognised framework for certifying organic produce, reduce reliance on costly foreign certification bodies, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Addressing participants at a stakeholder engagement and launch in Accra yesterday, the Director-General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, indicated that the initiative would support the production of safe and healthy food by encouraging farming methods that avoid synthetic fertilisers, prohibited pesticides and other harmful substances.

The event was held on the theme, “Advancing sustainable agriculture through credible organic certification.”

Prof. Agyei explained that many Ghanaian farmers currently depended on external certification programmes, which often cost thousands of dollars and limited their ability to access lucrative export markets.

He noted that support from the German Government, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, academia and other stakeholders had enabled Ghana to establish a credible certification system that would enhance the competitiveness of local producers on the global market.

According to him, the global organic market was valued at over $220 billion in 2024 and was projected to exceed $380 billion by 2030, making it a strategic sector for Ghana’s agricultural development.

He added that the certification scheme would position Ghana as a key organic certification hub in West Africa, allowing producers from neighbouring countries to access certification recognised in European, American and other international markets.

Prof. Agyei cautioned manufacturers and exporters against the illegal use of the GSA certification logo, indicating that enhanced security features, including QR code technology, had been introduced to verify authenticity.

He warned that offenders risked prosecution under the law, adding that products bearing fraudulent certification marks could be detected through international testing systems and information-sharing mechanisms.

He further disclosed that the Authority had established the necessary laboratory infrastructure and was finalising processes for implementation of the scheme.

Also speaking at the event, the Component Head of Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, Mrs Eunice Agyeiwah Agyepong, indicated that the partnership between GIZ and the GSA began in 2022 to develop Ghana’s first nationally managed organic certification scheme supported by a strong testing and conformity assessment framework.

She noted that significant progress had been made through stakeholder engagements, development of standards and operational procedures, and capacity building for GSA personnel.

Mrs Agyepong added that a joint learning visit by officials of GSA and Invest for Jobs to an internationally accredited certification body in India in 2025 had provided practical insights that helped shape Ghana’s framework and strengthen institutional capacity.

She expressed confidence that the scheme would make certification more accessible, enhance competitiveness, support regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and position Ghana as a credible supplier of high-quality organic products.