The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has urged shippers in the Bono and Ahafo Regions to consistently abreast themselves with all processes and follow them to cut needless cost.
According to the FDA, in the quest to cut corners, some shippers are slapped with fines, or their produce is confiscated, leading to huge revenue loss and in some instance, collapse of their businesses.
The shippers, in their quest to seek redress, report the issues to the Ghana Shippers’ Authority. To address the growing phenomenon in the regions the GSA partnered with the FDA during the 87th Brong Ahafo Regional Shipper Committee at Sunyani on 14th March, 2023 to speak to the matter.
Delivering a lecture on the Role of the FDA in Import and Export, the Regulatory FDA Officer for the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr. Charles Opoku-Gyamfi, said sample presentations need to be accompanied by a Certificate of Analyses as well as Free Sale Certificate to allow an officer to inspect and provide FDA certification.
He added that every food product must be certified in Ghana before it can be exported; therefore, shippers need to pay more attention to all compliance regulations.
The Acting Kumasi Branch Manager of the GSA, Mr. John Glover, highlighted the crucial role played by the Shipper Committees in ensuring trade facilitation, adding that the GSA will strengthen collaborations with the regulatory agencies to assist with information flow to shippers.
He is confident that quick information flow will help to streamline and improve the shipping and logistics sector, and ensure that shippers adhere to the regulations and guidelines proscribed by all regulatory bodies in the import and export value chain
