Olam Agri has recognised bakeries and individual bakers for exceptional performance in pursuing hygiene standards in their operations at the second edition of the Grain Hygiene Standards Management (GHSM) Awards Programme held last Friday.
Organised at the company’s wheat mill facility in Kpone near Tema, the ceremony brought together bakers from across the country, industry leaders, and stakeholders. It was graced by the attendance of distinguished guests, from the Food & Drugs Authority (FDA), the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, and Ghana TVET services.
Launched in July 2023, the GHSM program conducted in collaboration with Twentyth Consult, a Sales, Marketing, and Food Safety Consortium, is dedicated to promoting adherence to high hygiene standards among bakers in Ghana.
Participants of the programme undergo intense training and evaluation processes based on 10 pillars and bakers who demonstrate commitment to improving their operations are rewarded and spotlighted by Olam Agri. By recognising bakeries that demonstrate outstanding adherence to structured hygiene protocols, the programme aims to ensure the delivery of the highest quality and safest bakery products to consumers.
Following the success of the maiden edition of the programme last year, the 2025 Awards honoured over 200 bakeries, a significant increase from the 171 awarded last year. The increase in the number of awardees reflects the remarkable progress made by bakers in implementing and maintaining robust hygiene practices and is a testament to the positive impact of the GHSM program. Bakeries which won honours in the Four Star and Three Star categories were rewarded with a range of valuable prizes, including refrigerators and rice cookers as incentives for sustained or better performance.
“Olam Agri, one of the largest wheat millers in Africa, is committed to empowering the local bakery industry to ensure that safety and hygiene standards are kept. With this program, we aim to enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian bakeries, broaden their market access, and ultimately strengthen consumer confidence in Ghanaian-made bakery products,” said Soumya Saxena, Vice President & Business Head of Olam Agri’s Grains Business.
“The Grain Hygiene Standards Management Awards exemplify our commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Ghanaian bakery industry. By recognizing and rewarding excellence in hygiene, the company plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Ghanaian consumers enjoy safe, high-quality, and delicious bakery products,” Soumya added.
Mr. Kofi Essel, Director of Industrial Support Services Directorate of the FDA congratulated Olam Agri for ensuring hygiene standards in the industry and added that, “The safety and quality of the products we put out there is paramount. Consumers entrust us with their health and wellbeing and it is our duty to uphold this through stringent adherence to safety standards. The implementation of this program (GHSM) is a requirement for the fundamental aspect of our commitment to public health and safety.”
Olam Agri is an active player in promoting health and food safety within the baking industry. Through collaboration and active engagement with stakeholders, the company has, over the years, initiated programs such as the ‘My Healthy Baker”, the Grains of Friendship, and the Bakers Conference to address critical issues relating to best practices in bakery operations, fostering open dialogue and strengthening relationships with its valued partners.
