National Project Coordinator at the International Trade Centre Netherlands Trust Fund 5 Programme, Isaac Newton Acquah, has urged stakeholders in Ghana’s agricultural value chain to prepare for the integration of traceability systems within the sector.
He emphasized that implementing traceability will be essential for maintaining trade relationships with the nation’s major agricultural export partners in the near future.
“The European Union is a major export partner for Ghana and with new laws coming up in 2025, where we need to trace any produce we’re exporting, we need to be prepared,” Mr. Isaac Newton Acquah stated.
Speaking at the second edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference, organized by the Kosmos Innovation Centre and its partners, Mr. Acquah highlighted the significant contribution of agriculture to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He stressed the importance of adapting to evolving trends in the export market to ensure sustained benefits from the nation’s agricultural exports.
While acknowledging the challenges confronting Ghana’s agricultural sector and mentioning some industry players who are rising to the challenge, he urged industry players to work diligently towards transforming the country into a major exporter of agricultural produce.
“While we have 99 problems, maybe more, we do have several companies that are tackling the problems. It includes various AgriTech Companies such as Grow for Me, Sabon Sake and Farmerline who are tackling access to finance, carbon sequestration and traceability respectively.”
“Eventually, our goal should be to transition Ghana from being dependent on food imports to becoming a leading exporter. We need to generate surplus produce that can be exported for additional revenue,” Mr. Acquah asserted.
He also encouraged Ghanaian youth to take an active role in agriculture to help achieve national food security.
“Agriculture offers numerous opportunities for young people. You don’t need a background in agriculture to make an impact. Ultimately, it’s not just about job creation but about ensuring food security,” Mr. Acquah added.
The AIA Conference, held under the theme “Empowering Youth Startups and Agri-MSMEs in Africa: Addressing Climate Change, Innovative Financing, Market Efficiency, and Gender Mainstreaming for Sustainable Food Systems,” brought together various stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The event, attended by over 500 participants both virtually and in person, featured thought-provoking discussions on key themes such as innovative financing and market efficiency alongside a workshop on traceability.