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West Africa

Ghana

Ghana is in West Africa. As the pilot country, it gathers qualitative facts checked against official or authoritative sources.

This is one of our pilot countries. The statements below were checked against the official or authoritative pages listed at the bottom of this page. They are qualitative and may change, so confirm details with the institution before you act. Anything we could not verify is listed separately.

What we found, by topic

Agricultural products

Sourced
  • Ghana's Feed Ghana Programme names priority commodity groups: cereals and legumes, vegetables, starchy roots and tubers and plantain, tree crops, and livestock. They were chosen for their food and nutrition role, their value as raw material for industry, their export potential and their job creation.[14]
  • Within these groups the programme singles out crops such as maize, rice, soybean, cassava, yam, tomato, onion, pepper, mango, cashew, coconut, oil palm and shea. Poultry, ruminants and pigs are the livestock priorities.[14]
  • COCOBOD is the national body for cocoa, coffee and shea nut. Its functions include pest and disease control, research, quality control and marketing, and encouraging local processing to add value for export and local consumption.[11]
  • FAO supports Ghana's One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative by strengthening the soybean value chain. It also backs women fonio value chain actors and trains extension agents in climate-smart soybean production.[13]

Value-addition opportunities

Sourced
  • The Feed Ghana Programme includes value addition and the supply of raw materials to industry, through a Feed the Industry component for cashew, coconut, oil palm and shea. It addresses post-harvest losses with storage, aggregation centre and packhouse infrastructure, and supports processing such as tomato paste, chilli sauce, pepper drying and onion curing.[14]
  • The One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, launched by the previous administration, has been discontinued. According to press reports, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry told Parliament that there is no longer a 1D1F policy and no current incentives under it. The government has instead pointed to agro-processing parks under its 24-hour economy policy. Check with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for the current incentives that apply to a processing project.[5][26][27]
  • The Ghana Revenue Authority publishes tax incentives that apply by sector and location. They include agro-processing, tree crop farming and cattle farming, as well as a concessionary regime for exporters of non-traditional agricultural products.[7]

Business opportunities

Sourced
  • Sole proprietorships register their business name with the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC), a statutory body that operates from the premises of the Registrar-General's Department. GEPA's guidance still refers to the Registrar General's Department, so the older name may still be heard. Exporters must be registered before they can register with GEPA.[20][25]
  • The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre acts as an investment facilitation agency. It assists investors with permits, promotes investment opportunities, speaks for investors in policy discussions and offers aftercare. It also runs an AfCFTA desk with advisory services.[6]
  • The Ghana Revenue Authority publishes the tax incentives and exemptions available to businesses, including some for agro-processing. Operators should check its guidance for their own situation.[7]
  • The Ghana Enterprises Agency (formerly the National Board for Small Scale Industries) supports micro, small and medium businesses, including agribusinesses, with business development services and access to credit through its network of Business Advisory Centres.[32]

Government resources

Sourced
  • The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has technical directorates for animal production, veterinary services, crop services, plant protection and regulatory services, agricultural engineering, agricultural extension and women in agricultural development. It also has line directorates for statistics, research and information, policy planning and administration. It works through regional and district offices.[1][17]
  • MoFA's sub-vented bodies include the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority, the Grains and Legumes Development Board and the National Food Buffer Stock Company. The Grains and Legumes Development Board is a statutory institution that produces and supplies foundation seed.[17][23]
  • The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is responsible for trade and industry and oversees agencies including GEPA. COCOBOD is the national body for cocoa, coffee and shea nut according to its own website. The President assented to a new Ghana Cocoa Board Act in 2026, which according to press reports replaces the earlier cocoa board legislation.[3][5][11][28]

Regulatory information

Sourced
  • The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) draws its mandate from the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851). It regulates the manufacture, import, export, sale and distribution of food and other products. It handles product and facility registration and licensing, market surveillance and inspections and advertisement approval, and runs a Progressive Licensing Scheme for small-scale food processors.[4]
  • The Ghana Standards Authority develops national standards through technical committees that bring together industry, government, academia and consumers. It also hosts the National Codex Contact Point and the WTO TBT Enquiry Point.[21]
  • The Ghana Standards Authority also certifies. It issues a Standard Mark for product certification and certifies management systems such as ISO 22000 for food safety and HACCP, and it offers related training.[2]
  • MoFA's Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate regulates agricultural inputs and plant health. It oversees seed certification and fertilizer and pesticide regulation, and it runs plant quarantine.[8]
  • To register a food product with the FDA, applicants use separate application pathways for locally made and imported products, submitted through the FDA's online portal (G-FIRMS). The FDA advises on labelling and packaging before accepting an application, and some products need laboratory confirmation and site verification. Small and cottage processors with low-risk products can use the Progressive Licensing Scheme. Labels on pre-packaged foods must carry, among other things, the product name, country of origin, quantity, ingredients, dates and batch identification, and the manufacturer's name and address, in English. Check the FDA's current guidelines before applying.[29][30][4]

Financing resources

Sourced
  • GIRSAL (Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending) offers a credit risk guarantee to participating financial institutions that lend to agriculture. Agribusinesses cannot apply to it directly. They access loans through partner banks, and the scheme covers production, processing, marketing and export.[10]
  • The Agricultural Development Bank's agribusiness division finances farmers, cooperatives and agro-processors. Its products include group loans for cooperatives, outgrower schemes, financing of input distribution and agromarketing, and soybean value chain financing.[9]
  • The Ghana Commodity Exchange's warehouse receipt system lets farmers store produce in certified warehouses. They can use the receipt as collateral for a loan from partner banks and sell through the exchange platform.[12]
  • The Feed Ghana Programme includes innovative agricultural financing among its pillars, to widen access to credit for farmers and agribusinesses.[14]
  • Ghana EXIM Bank lists export-related financing such as working capital for production and international orders, guarantees for exporters and SMEs with limited collateral, and SME banking. The Ghana Free Zones Authority operates under the Free Zone Act, 1995 (Act 504) and offers a regime of incentives for export-oriented companies that add value to their products. Check each institution for current eligibility.[33][34]

Export information

Sourced
  • The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) is the national export trade support institution under the trade ministry. It offers coordination, capacity building, product adaptation, trade missions, exhibitions, buyer-seller meetings, export training and a trade information centre. It focuses on diversifying exports beyond traditional commodities.[3]
  • Exporters first register their business with the Office of the Registrar of Companies (which GEPA's guidance still calls the Registrar General's Department) and then with GEPA. For exports within West Africa, manufacturers can also complete an ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme registration through GEPA.[20][25]
  • The Plant Quarantine Division of MoFA's Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate issues import and export permits and phytosanitary certificates in line with international phytosanitary standards.[8]
  • The AfCFTA Secretariat, which coordinates implementation of the continental free trade agreement, is hosted in Accra. GEPA's partners include the International Trade Centre (ITC), Ghana Exim Bank and the Ghana Free Zones Authority.[15][24]
  • According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, all exports must be covered by a customs declaration, submitted electronically through the ICUMS platform. Supporting documents typically include a transport document, invoices and packing lists, permits or certificates from relevant agencies such as the Ghana Standards Authority or COCOBOD, and a certificate of origin for some destinations. The goods are then presented to Customs for release. Exporters should confirm the exact document list with Customs.[31]

Training

Sourced
  • MoFA runs agriculture colleges at Kwadaso, Ejura, Ohawu and Damongo, plus the Animal Health and Production College in Pong Tamale and the Ghana Veterinary College in Tamale. They train frontline agricultural staff, and the curriculum has been updated to include agri-entrepreneurship.[22]
  • MoFA's Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services leads extension. The Feed Ghana Programme stresses farmer field schools, demonstrations, climate-smart villages and capacity building for extension agents and farmers in good agricultural practices.[1][14]
  • The Ghana Standards Authority provides training in quality management, food safety, HACCP and related systems. GEPA offers export training through its Export School. COCOBOD has extension and research divisions for cocoa.[2][3][11]

Markets

Sourced
  • The Statistics, Research and Information Directorate of MoFA collects commodity price data at farm gate, wholesale and retail levels, together with input prices. It prepares weekly and monthly price information on major food commodities and runs crop and livestock surveys.[19]
  • The National Food Buffer Stock Company aims to give farmers a minimum guaranteed price and a ready market. It buys surplus cereals, stores them, releases them to stabilise prices and supplies state institutions.[18]
  • The Ghana Commodity Exchange is a regulated platform where agricultural commodities are traded under rules approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. It guarantees quality, quantity, payment and delivery.[12]

Organizations

Sourced
  • The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana is an apex farmer-based non-governmental organisation. It advocates for smallholder-friendly policies and works on capacity building, partnerships and business development with farmer-based organisations.[16]
  • The Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry are business associations listed as national partners of GEPA. They represent manufacturers and wider business interests, including agro-processors.[24]
  • Cooperatives and farmer groups can access dedicated credit products from the Agricultural Development Bank. The Feed Ghana Programme also promotes farmer-based organisations and cooperatives, and the Grains and Legumes Development Board says it works to strengthen farmer organisations.[9][14][23]

Sources

Links open in a new tab. Statements are paraphrased and checked at the time of writing.

  1. 1.MOFA - Technical Directorates — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  2. 2.Certification — Ghana Standards Authority
  3. 3.About GEPA — Ghana Export Promotion Authority
  4. 4.Food And Drugs Authority (homepage) — Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana
  5. 5.Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MOTAI): 1D1F news — Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Ghana
  6. 6.About GIPC — Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
  7. 7.Tax Exemptions for Businesses — Ghana Revenue Authority
  8. 8.MOFA - Plant Protection & Regulatory Services — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  9. 9.Agribusiness Division (Agric Finance) — Agricultural Development Bank, Ghana
  10. 10.Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme — GIRSAL
  11. 11.Objectives and Functions of the Board — Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD)
  12. 12.GCX Warehouse Receipt (presentation) — Securities and Exchange Commission, Ghana
  13. 13.FAO in Ghana — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  14. 14.Feed Ghana Programme: A Four-Year Agricultural Transformation — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  15. 15.About the AfCFTA Secretariat — AfCFTA Secretariat
  16. 16.Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana — Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana
  17. 17.MOFA - The Structure of The Ministry — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  18. 18.MOFA - National Food Buffer Stock Company — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  19. 19.MOFA - Statistics, Research & Information — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  20. 20.Frequently Asked Questions (exporter registration) — Ghana Export Promotion Authority
  21. 21.Standards — Ghana Standards Authority
  22. 22.MOFA - Agriculture colleges valuable tool for human resource development — Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana
  23. 23.Grains and Legumes Development Board — Grains and Legumes Development Board, Ghana
  24. 24.GEPA Strategic Partners — Ghana Export Promotion Authority
  25. 25.Office of the Registrar of Companies (home) — Office of the Registrar of Companies, Ghana
  26. 26.1D1F programme cancelled, Trade Minister confirms to Parliament — Graphic Online (press)
  27. 27.1D1F programme cancelled, replaced with 24-Hour Economy - Minister — MyJoyOnline (press)
  28. 28.Mahama signs 10 bills into law — The Presidency, Republic of Ghana
  29. 29.Food Registration — Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana
  30. 30.General Labelling Requirements — Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana
  31. 31.Customs FAQ (export procedures) — Ghana Revenue Authority
  32. 32.The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) — Mastercard Foundation
  33. 33.Products — Ghana EXIM Bank
  34. 34.Ghana Free Zones Authority — Ghana Free Zones Authority

Not yet verified for this country

We looked for these but could not confirm them from an official source yet.

Opportunities where local rules matter most

Regional trade: the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is relevant when trading between African countries. Check current rules with national customs and trade authorities and the AfCFTA Secretariat before acting.

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