By: Gloria Anderson
To ensure that products from Ghana meets European Union (EU) standards and requirements under the Economic Partnership Agreements, staff and beneficiaries of the Ghana Enterprises Agency have undergone training on the Economic Partnership Agreements and the benefits the EPA’s offer to Ghanaian business.
The participants numbering about 60 came from companies that produce local products from cosmetics, spices and foods, either exporting in small quantities or yet to export.
The participants were exposed to the interim Economic partnership agreements focusing on the trade regimes for goods and the rules of origin for exporters.
They were also trained on the key priority sectors under the EPA and an overview of the EU markets and the Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements of exporting to EU and what the requirements for food traceability requirements are.
Addressing the participants, the Team lead of the Technical Assistance Team, Nicholas Goebara emphasized the importance of understanding what the EPA requirements are for Ghanaian companies to ensure that all products exported to the European markets meets standards.
He said the training is part of a series of engagements being undertaken to build capacity of Ghanaian companies and manufactures to fully benefits from the open markets the EU offers.
Speakers from the Plant Protection and Regulators Services Directorates, (PPRSD ), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority took participants through the exports processes, the requirements that products to be exported must meet and the code of practice of their various organizations. Speakers from the three key institutions did not mince words in emphasizing the importance of abiding by the standard laws and requirements.
The Representative from the FDA, Gloria Asum Kwarteng urged the participants to avoid the practice of using middle men to cut corners..
“Such a practice affects standards as these middle men do not have the right information”.
Mrs. Kwarteng said the doors of the FDA are open to all and encouraged exporters to visit any offices of the FDA for any assistance participate fully in the value chain production of their product.
“Pay attention because if your product falls below standards you will lose the market”, she noted.
She raised concerns about the packaging of their products and insisted that the packaging tells a story about the company.
Gloria Osei from the Ghana Standard Authority emphasized that the authority will not compromise on standards and ensure that the right thing is done by exporters, especially when the image of the authority and the nation is at stake at the international markets.
Participants were happy at the opportunity offered to learn.
They described the session as insightful and which will effect they way they transact their businesses.
The programme was supported by the European Union.
