The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has officially launched Ghana’s first nationally-managed organic certification scheme. This new initiative allows organic producers to access lucrative premium markets in Europe and North America, where certified organic products command price premiums between 20 and 40 percent.
This certification addresses a critical market gap, enabling Ghanaian organic farmers to distinguish their produce from conventionally grown alternatives. Previously, organic and conventional products competed in the same domestic marketplace, denying organic producers fair value. The certification aims to rectify this structural injustice and boost agricultural exports.
This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader strategy to enhance its agricultural export identity and economic growth. The global organic food and beverage market was valued at over US$220 billion (GHS 2.9 trillion) in 2024. This market is projected to surpass US$380 billion (GHS 5.1 trillion) by 2030. Europe alone accounts for more than a third of this consumption. The European Union’s ‘Farm to Fork Strategy’ targets 25 percent of all agricultural land under organic production by the end of the decade. This provides a significant opportunity for Ghanaian producers.
GSA Director-General Professor George Agyei highlighted the importance of certification in international trade. He stated, “In international trade, that passport is certification; credible, traceable, internationally recognised certification.” The GSA partnered with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) to establish this scheme. The project is entering its final phase before full implementation, supported by robust testing infrastructure. The GSA certification adheres to international standard ISO/IEC 17065. It is also aligned with the European Union’s Organic Regulation 2018/848. The scheme encompasses essential Ghanaian agricultural exports such as cocoa, shea, cashew, tropical fruits, spices, and vegetables. Investments in laboratory testing infrastructure and technical capacity underpin this initiative. A strategic working visit in March 2025 to Indocert in Kerala, India, accelerated this development.
Eunice Agyeiwah Agyepong, Component Head-Invest for Jobs programme at GIZ Ghana, noted that many Ghanaian businesses previously relied on expensive foreign certification bodies. These costs often priced smallholder farmers out of the premium markets they sustained. The new national organic certification scheme will eliminate these barriers. This makes premium markets more accessible for smallholder farmers. This move is expected to significantly benefit Ghana’s agricultural sector. It will also enhance its standing in international trade.
The successful implementation of this scheme is expected to drive economic growth and create new opportunities for farmers. It will also strengthen Ghana's trade relationships with key markets. The scheme ensures that Ghanaian organic products meet stringent international standards. This will secure their position as trusted and high-quality exports. Decision-makers and markets will closely monitor the scheme's impact on export volumes and farmer incomes. This certification is a vital step towards unlocking the full potential of Ghana's organic agricultural sector.