SPEG initiates Pilot Pineapple Inspections Programme

Nsawam, Dec. 6, GNA - A 10-month Pilot Product Norms and Inspections Programme, aimed at ensuring that pineapple exports from Ghana met the stringent standards of the International Market, was launched at Doboro, near Nsawam on Tuesday. The project has the imminent prospect of making Ghanaian pineapple exports much more competitive, and lifting the non-traditional exports sector, beyond its current levels.

It is a collaborative effort of Sea-freight Pineapple Exporters of Ghana (SPEG), and the Ghana Standards Board, with funding from USAID and the Trade and Investment Programme for a Competitive Export Economy (TIPCEE).

During the 10-month pilot period, SPEG would implement the pilot product norms and inspections programme, through tests at park houses of 10 participating firms, and at export departure points, with the assistance of BIVAC International (Ghana) Limited, an international inspections company.

To ensure sustainability of the programme, SPEG had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BIVAC, to continue the inspection for extra two years, after the end of the 10-month pilot phase.

In an address read for him at the launch, Mr Ernest Akubour Debrah, Minister of Food and Agriculture, commended the initiators of the project for their vision and foresight. Mr. Debrah said it was an important step in the horticultural industry to help the nation to meet the demands of the global market place, and compete favourably with other international products on the market.

He pointed out that, "we cannot escape from globalization of the market place, no matter our level of development."

The Minister stated that the changes that were occurring around the world were having significant effect on developing countries, especially in meeting quality and safety standards. "Our inability to meet these standards will greatly reduce our competitiveness and eventually block our access to the world market."

Mr Debrah said his ministry had not shirked its responsibility in support of the horticulture industry, adding that it was for this reason that it had awarded contract for the rehabilitation and expansion of a shed at the Tema Port for sea-freighting.

The Minister promised that the Millienium Challenge Account would also rehabilitate and expand the cold storage facilities at the Kotoka International Airport for air freighting and develop six pack houses as well, for the use of this industry.

Mr. Debrah charged stakeholders to use their rich experience and expertise to support the pilot programme meant to increase the export competitiveness of Ghanaian Pineapple Product.

Mr Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, Private Sector Development, and President's Special Initiative, whose launch speech was also read on his behalf, said the Market demands of the pineapple inspection programme was a huge push towards the development of the fresh produce industry in the country.

Mr Kyerematen pledged government's strong commitment to address the prevailing constraints and challenges facing the fresh produce industry, especially in the areas of infrastructure, finance and logistics. He said the programme was a unique one that was telling the world that Ghana was committed to providing good quality, hygienic and safe fresh produce for the nutritious needs of consumers.

Miss Sandra Styjka, representative of USAID, pledged the Agency's continued support towards the development of Ghana's economy through such SPEG initiative.

"We strongly believe that public-private partnerships are powerful vehicles for achieving accelerated economic growth", she observed. Mr Stephen Mintah, General Manager of SPEG, said the association considered the pilot programme as its own, and said this explained why SPEG had contributed 32 per cent of the total cost of the 10-month pilot project.

Mr Adu Darkwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Standards Board, who chaired the function, urged the participating exporting firms of the pilot scheme to adopt sanitary trade practices that would meet international standards.