Packaging of local products need improvement - Minister

Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry (MoTI), has said the packaging of Made in Ghana Products can be improved to meet global standards and meet consumer expectations.

He said there is the need for improvement from all sectors in the process of packing Made in Ghana Products.

“Packaging products very well can go to the extent of avoiding contamination, moisture and improving the competition in Ghana as well as across the globe,” Dr Spio-Garbrah said in Accra on Wednesday at the signing of a memorandum between MoTI and the Food and Agriculture Organizations (FAO).

Dubbed “Improving Food Packing for Small and Medium Agro-Enterprise in Sub-Saharan Africa”, the 450, 000 dollar initiative of the FAO is to create partnerships, support and improve efficiency in food chain.

Dr Spio-Garbrah said the packaging of products in Ghana should not only be attractive but should be made resilient to stand all weather conditions.

Our packing also should be done in a hygienic environment before it can be attractive to consumers,” he said.

He called for adequate human training and development that would help improve the packaging industry of the country.

Dr Abebe Haile Gabriel, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and Representative to Ghana, said bad packaging was a major factor to food loss and citizen’s patronage.

He said the project would provide a great opportunity for all parties to work closely to promote sustainability of food chain in Africa.

He said countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia were partners with the FAO and International Trade Centre on the project.

Dr Gabriel called for collaboration between ministries to make the goal of the project worthwhile.

Papa Kow Bartels, Chair Packaging Working Group, MoTI, said the project was a laudable initiative that would ensure as well as promote quality of standards in the packing industry.

“This is an opportunity for partnership between food industries in Ghana and Africa,” he said.