Guidebook on fresh food supply launched
Three institutions have designed a guidebook on good hygiene practices to help horticulture and food industries protect their workers and customers from the raging novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
The institutions, International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the Ministry of Health, as well as the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), launched the guidebook at a virtual ceremony on June 25 in Accra.
The book details how farmers and agribusiness companies can prevent the spread of the virus in their harvesting, packaging, processing, and logistics activities.
A press release issued by IFC on July 16 in Accra indicated that industry representatives, including mango, vegetable, and pineapple producers participated in the virtual launch.
IFC support
The Director of PPRSD, Dr Fecilia Ansah-Amprofi, said: “At a time when fruits and vegetables are most needed, IFC’s support enables Ghana’s food producers to feed Ghanaians and earn foreign exchange without spreading the coronavirus. PPRSD will work to ensure that some of these practices stay after the pandemic."
The IFC Country Manager of Ghana, Ronke-Amoni Ogunsulire, said: "We are delighted to have been involved in this guide which supports Ghana’s horticulture industry to keep business going safely through COVID-19. IFC will continue to seek ways of helping to protect key value chains in Ghana and position them for economic recovery."
Serious concerns
The virus has triggered serious concerns in the fresh food industry in the country. Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that the transmission of the virus through food represent a very low risk, operators are experiencing a general decline in export and local market sales as well as rising transport costs.
A recent survey by the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) shows that Ghana’s agribusiness companies recorded a 61 per cent reduction in average monthly income during the country’s three-week lockdown in April.
With correct implementation of these guidelines by actors along the horticulture and food value chains, consumers can be more confident in the safety of the end products and workers in the related industries.
The guidebook is available free of charge at PPRSD’s office in Accra.
About IFC
IFC—a sister organisation of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries.
In fiscal year 2019, we invested more than $19 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.