THE EFFECT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RAPID RESPONSE TO SANITORY AND PHYTOSANITORY CONCERN SYSTEM ON EXPORT ORIENTED HORTICULTURE IN GHANA

The effort to diversify horticultural production and position for growers to take advantage of the rising demand for high value but safe horticultural commodities has been the concern to Ghana. Consumers of horticultural commodities have emphasized their concerns about safety including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) concerns. Consequently, these become trade barriers to Ghana especially in niche markets. The Ghana Standards Board together with other stakeholders successfully designed an early warning system, emergency preparedness, and rapid alert system to combat the challenge which led to the recapturing of lost niche markets. This strategy can be adopted by other African countries aspiring to enter the international trade in horticultural produce.