The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), on Monday, June 15, 2026, launched the official Organic Certification Logo to be used as part of an Organic Certification Scheme.
The launch, which was held at the AH Hotel in Accra, also brought together stakeholders in the organic produce sector to discuss issues confronting the sector and solicit ideas to improve the scheme.
Addressing participants at the launch, the Director-General (DG) of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, indicated that the initiative would support the production of safe and healthy food by encouraging farming methods that avoid synthetic fertilisers, prohibited pesticides and other harmful substances.
Prof. Agyei explained that many Ghanaian farmers currently depended on external certification programmes, which often cost thousands of dollars and limited their ability to access lucrative export markets.
He noted that support from the German Government, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, academia and other stakeholders had enabled Ghana to establish a credible certification system that would enhance the competitiveness of local producers on the global market.
He added that the certification scheme would position Ghana as a key organic certification hub in West Africa, allowing producers from neighboring countries to access certification recognized in European, American and other international markets.
Prof. Agyei cautioned manufacturers and exporters against the illegal use of the GSA certification logo, indicating that enhanced security features, including QR code technology, had been introduced to verify authenticity.
He warned that offenders risked prosecution under the law, adding that products bearing fraudulent certification marks could be detected through international testing systems and information-sharing mechanisms.
He further disclosed that the Authority had established the necessary laboratory infrastructure and was finalizing processes for implementation of the scheme.
Also speaking at the event, the Component Head of Invest for Jobs at GIZ Ghana, Mrs. Eunice Agyeiwah Agyepong, indicated that the partnership between GIZ and the GSA began in 2022 to develop Ghana’s first nationally managed organic certification scheme supported by a strong testing and conformity assessment framework.
She noted that significant progress had been made through stakeholder engagements, development of standards and operational procedures, and capacity building for GSA personnel.
Mrs. Agyepong added that a joint learning visit by officials of GSA and Invest for Jobs to an internationally accredited certification body in India in 2025 had provided practical insights that helped shape Ghana’s framework and strengthen institutional capacity.
She expressed confidence that the scheme would make certification more accessible, enhance competitiveness, support regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and position Ghana as a credible supplier of high-quality organic products.
The event was held on the theme, “Advancing sustainable agriculture through credible organic certification.”
The GSA is establishing a national Organic Certification Scheme aimed at enabling Ghanaian farmers and agribusinesses to access premium international markets and benefit from the growing global demand for organic products.
As part of the scheme, the GSA is introducing an official Organic Certification Logo to verify products approved for safe public use.
The logo was developed by the Public Relations Department of the GSA.