Food Safety and Mango Export Crop Production in Ghana

Abstract

This article investigates Ghana’s agriculture policy on food safety and safety compliance. The research was conducted in Yilo Krobo and Kintampo North, two major mango growing districts in Ghana. Primary data was collected from forty-three (43) respondents made up of 32 farmers and 11 key informants from key state institutions, development partners and processors. The study concludes that close proximity of food safety standards compliance bodies, bilateral and multilateral cooperation by injection of funds, input and skills training play major roles in food safety compliance. Embargo (sanctions) and economic power (money) are resources at the disposal of regulating bodies and consumers’ to invoke for non-compliant to food safety standards. These resources are deterrent enough to compel mango producers and exporters to adhere to production standards. The author recommends that state funding to the institutions and agencies responsible for food safety enforcement and monitoring should be regular to sustain the momentum on compliance with food safety.