Ghana's post-harvest losses: C7 trillion annually

Accra, Aug. 20, GNA - A 16-member National Post Harvest Working Group was on Wednesday inaugurated to check the about seven trillion cedis the nation loses annually through inappropriate post harvest management practices.

The group is tasked to streamline all post harvest interventions and see to the harmonization of all activities relating to post harvest issues.

The group is also to collate, evaluate, prioritise and harmonise all post harvest research interventions and technologies in the system.

Mr Clement Eledi, a Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, inaugurating the group, charged it to be proactive in its duties and to find lasting solution to post harvest losses.

Major Courage Quashigah (rtd), the Sector Minister, in a speech read for him, said currently, Ghanaian exporters were not being paid premium prices for their products because there were clear indications that handling and other post harvest management of their commodities did not meet international standards.

He said it was unacceptable for Ghana to lose between four to seven trillion cedis annually as a result of inappropriate post harvest management practices, saying, "we can not allow this to continue because for any country to be at peace with itself food security has to be ensured".
Post harvest management plays a key role in ensuring food security because its effectiveness also determines how, when and where to get food at the right price and in the right quantity.
"To get food at the right price and at the right time involves haulage, handling and storage...the ability to reduce post harvest losses will go a long way to ensure stable food supply throughout the year and thus stabilise food prices at relatively affordable prices," Major Quashigah said.
The Minister said the international market for agricultural products was becoming more competitive which called for a concerted effort by stakeholders in the sector to ensure that Ghana becomes more competitive to capture a significant proportion of the market.
He said at present post harvest practices were "individualistic" in approach, which had led to the duplication of efforts and waste of time and scarce resources.
"The Ministry believes in collaborative work by all stakeholders to address any particular issue concerning agricultural production including those relating to post harvest problems," he noted.
Mr Joseph K. Boamah, Acting Director, Agricultural Engineering Services Directorate (AESD), who chaired the function urged the committee members to work in collaboration with other stakeholders to come out with practicable solutions to the problem.
"If you are successful, the whole nation will be successful in terms of food management, so be proactive and do not let lack of funds be a hindrance. Bring all that is in you and make sure this dream is achieved," he said.