The German International Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) have commissioned a new Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) system. This state-of-the-art organic food testing equipment, which includes a nitrogen generator, a centrifuge, and a complete manifold, was launched under the auspices of the GIZ Invest for Jobs programme.
This initiative, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is part of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition.” The LCMS will enable the GSA to enhance its diagnostic analysis capabilities across various agricultural products, crucially improving the detection of cells, amino acids, vitamins, metals, proteins, cancer biomarkers, drug monitoring, and pesticide residue analysis.
The installation of the LCMS is geared towards establishing a robust organic certification and Global GAP certification scheme in Ghana. This will assess local farms against established requirements for organic and Global GAP certifications, aiming to bridge the gap for local producers and elevate their competitiveness in international markets.
John C. Duti, Team Leader at Invest for Jobs, GIZ, emphasized the transformative potential of the equipment. “The commissioning of this equipment will revolutionize agricultural product standards in Ghana and unlock the potential for SMEs to expand their markets outside Ghana. This expansion should bolster employment within these enterprises,” he stated.
The equipment and certification services provided by the GSA are expected to benefit over 100 agribusiness SMEs, enhancing their product quality and compliance with global standards. Additionally, GSA employees will receive training to become scheme managers and auditors in organic and Global GAP programs, allowing the GSA to provide certification services at a more affordable rate compared to international options.
Professor Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the GSA, lauded the support from GIZ and highlighted the timeliness of this initiative. “Given the growing demand for high-quality food products both locally and for the export market, this support from GIZ is incredibly valuable,” he noted.
The launch event was attended by representatives from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, various private sector companies, and academia, underscoring the broad-based support and significance of this initiative.
