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20% Natural Juice’s Excise Duty threatens 127,000 Jobs, and farmer livelihoods – Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana

Today, the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) has released a comprehensive technical analysis revealing the 20% excise duty on natural fruit juices causing catastrophic damage to Ghana’s fruit processing industry, destroying up to 127,000 jobs across the agricultural value chain, and eliminating a potential USD 1 billion annual export opportunity.

The policy, intended as a public health measure, is instead penalizing nutritious products while protecting cheaper artificial beverages, contradicting both health objectives and Ghana’s economic development aspirations.

The excise duty, colloquially termed the “Ofori-Atta Killer Tax” by industry stakeholders, has forced juice processing factories to operate at just 30-45% capacity instead of the optimal 70-85%, creating a cascade of negative impacts on local farmers who depend on processors as reliable off-takers for their pineapples, oranges, coconuts, mangoes, and other fruits.

CATASTROPHIC IMPACT ON FARMERS AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS

“The 20% excise duty is not just a tax on juice processors; it is a direct attack on the livelihoods of 50,000 to 120,000 farming households across Ghana,” said Anthony Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana. “When processing factories reduce production due to suppressed demand, farmers face 15-30% price declines, watch 30-40% of their harvest rot in the fields, and lose the reliable markets that contract farming provides. Women farmers, who comprise 55-60% of fruit producers, are disproportionately affected.”

The analysis documents how juice processors serve as critical anchor buyers providing farmers with predictable pricing through contract agreements, quality flexibility that accepts cosmetically imperfect fruits unsuitable for fresh markets, aggregation services that reduce transport costs, and technical extension services that improve yields. When these markets disappear, rural communities in the Eastern, Volta, and Central Regions face increased poverty, youth migration to urban centers, and economic decline.

POLICY CONTRADICTS INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES

The Chamber’s analysis examined beverage taxation policies in over 100 countries that have implemented sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes. International best practice consistently distinguishes between artificially sweetened beverages and 100% natural fruit juices based on nutritional content, absence of added sugars, agricultural development benefits, and value addition to domestic agriculture.

“Countries like the Philippines, South Africa, and Barbados explicitly exempt 100% natural fruit juices from their SSB taxes,” Morrison noted. “Even Barbados, a small island economy with limited agricultural capacity, exempts natural juices to protect regional agricultural trade. Ghana, with its vast fruit production potential, is doing the exact opposite—we are taxing our own agricultural value chain while protecting imported concentrates and artificial beverages.”

The Philippines’ TRAIN Law (2018) applies a two-tier tax on beverages with added sweeteners while explicitly exempting 100% natural fruit and vegetable juices. South Africa’s Health Promotion Levy (2018) exempts 100% fruit juice and bottled water while taxing carbonated SSBs. These policies have successfully reduced unhealthy beverage consumption while protecting agricultural processing sectors.

USD 1 BILLION EXPORT OPPORTUNITY DESTROYED

Global demand for natural and functional beverages is growing at 6-8% annually, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Ghana is uniquely positioned to capture this market with potential annual exports valued at USD 700 million to USD 1 billion across product categories including:

  • Pineapple juice and not-from-concentrate products: USD 250-300 million
  • Citrus juice and concentrates: USD 200-250 million
  • Coconut water and blends: USD 150-200 million
  • Functional and fiber juices: USD 100-150 million

However, the 20% excise duty undermines export competitiveness by raising production costs that must be absorbed for price-competitive exports, discouraging long-term capital investments, signaling policy unpredictability to international buyers, and preventing Ghanaian processors from building brand reputation in premium markets.

IMPORT SUBSTITUTION OPPORTUNITY LOST

Ghana currently spends USD 350-450 million annually importing beverage concentrates, powdered drinks, and artificial sweetened beverages that could be produced locally. With supportive tax policies, the domestic natural juice industry could realistically achieve 30-40% import substitution within 3-5 years, retaining USD 120-180 million in foreign exchange annually.

“The excise duty creates a perverse situation where imported concentrates and artificial beverages face lower effective taxation than locally produced natural juices made from Ghanaian fruits,” Morrison explained. “This policy is actively undermining import substitution efforts and increasing unnecessary pressure on the cedi—directly contradicting our macroeconomic stabilization objectives.”

PUBLIC HEALTH PARADOX

While the excise duty was promoted as a public health intervention to reduce sugar consumption, the policy is producing the opposite effect. Higher prices for nutritious 100% natural fruit juices—which contain vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants—are pushing consumers toward cheaper artificial beverages and powdered drinks with lower nutritional value.

“This is a public health paradox,” Morrison stated. “We are making healthy, nutritious products more expensive while inadvertently protecting unhealthy alternatives. Over time, this will contribute to rising rates of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies. The long-term public health costs from these conditions will far exceed any short-term excise revenues collected.”

CONFLICT WITH 24-HOUR ECONOMY INITIATIVE

The Chamber’s analysis highlights a direct policy conflict between the excise duty and Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative. Natural juice processing is inherently suited to multi-shift operations—continuous operations are standard practice globally, multiple shifts enable rapid processing of perishable fruits, higher throughput reduces per-unit costs, and night shifts create premium wage opportunities for workers.

However, the excise duty has suppressed demand to the point where factories cannot justify operating beyond single shifts. Current capacity utilization of 30-45% barely sustains daytime operations, directly contradicting the 24-Hour Economy vision of maximizing productive capacity through around-the-clock manufacturing.

CHAMBER’S POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana is calling for immediate government action across three priority areas:

Immediate Actions (0-6 months):

  • Zero-rate or exempt 100% natural fruit juices from excise duty, including not-from-concentrate products, freshly pressed juices, and fiber-rich blends made from Ghanaian fruits without added sugars, sweeteners, or preservatives
  • Maintain or increase excise rates (25-30%) on genuinely unhealthy beverages with added sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and less than 25% fruit content
  • Establish a multi-stakeholder policy review committee comprising Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Revenue Authority, juice processors, farmer associations, and public health experts to conduct quarterly reviews of policy impacts

Medium-Term Strategic Interventions (6-24 months):

  • Develop a comprehensive agro-processing investment incentive package including 5-year tax holidays for new processors, import duty waivers on specialized equipment, and working capital support through Ghana Exim Bank at 10-12% interest rates
  • Launch export market development support through GEPA including market intelligence, international certification assistance, and matching grants for export marketing
  • Strengthen farmer-processor linkages through contract farming arrangements, extension services, aggregation center investments, and youth/women empowerment programs

Long-Term Vision (2-5 years):

  • Scale Ghana’s export-oriented processing capacity from 2-3 facilities to 6-8 facilities capable of achieving USD 700 million to USD 1 billion in annual exports
  • Position Ghana as West Africa’s premium fruit processing hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
  • Integrate natural juice processing as a flagship sector in the 24-Hour Economy initiative with fasttrack approvals, energy tariff incentives, and labor regulation flexibility

FISCAL IMPACT: NET GAIN FOR GOVERNMENT REVENUES

The Chamber’s analysis demonstrates that removing the excise duty on natural juices is not a revenue loss but a strategic investment with substantial fiscal returns. While zero-rating eliminates direct excise revenue estimated at GHS 80-120 million annually, the fiscal gains from increased economic activity significantly exceed this amount:

  • PAYE taxes from 60,000-120,000 additional jobs: GHS 200-400 million
  • Corporate taxes from expanded processor operations: GHS 100-180 million
  • Reduced NHIS costs from improved nutrition: GHS 50-100 million
  • Total net fiscal gain: GHS 270-560 million annually

“This is not about choosing between revenue and development,” Morrison emphasized. “The evidence clearly shows that removing this misguided tax will generate significantly more government revenue through employment taxes and corporate income taxes, while simultaneously protecting farmer livelihoods, creating jobs, and positioning Ghana for export success.”

CALL TO ACTION

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana is calling on the government, Parliament, and all stakeholders to recognize the urgent need for policy correction. The 20% excise duty on natural fruit juices is not merely a tax; it is a structural impediment to Ghana’s agricultural transformation that penalizes value addition, destroys rural livelihoods, and forecloses a billion-dollar export opportunity.

“The choice facing policymakers is straightforward: tax away a future industry, or unlock it for shared prosperity,” Morrison concluded. “We urge the government to align Ghana’s beverage taxation policy with international best practices immediately. Our farmers cannot wait. Our rural communities cannot wait. Ghana’s economic future cannot wait.”

The Chamber stands ready to work collaboratively with government, development partners, and all stakeholders to implement these reforms and unlock Ghana’s full potential as West Africa’s premier fruit processing hub under AfCFTA.

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ADB holds maiden inspire to impact conference

The Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB) has taken a decisive step in strengthening its leadership and performance culture with the successful hosting of its maiden Inspire to Impact (I2I) Conference, an engagement aimed at aligning mindset, leadership responsibility, and execution across the Bank.

The conference, held at Alisa Hotel on Saturday, 31st January 2026, brought together staff from across the organisation to engage experienced practitioners and thought leaders on themes of leadership, customer focus, people development and collective excellence, as ADB positions itself for exceptional performance and sustained growth.

Opening the conference, Edward Ato Sarpong, Managing Director of ADB, challenged staff to move beyond inspiration to measurable outcomes, stressing that leadership must ultimately be reflected in performance.

He cited the Bank’s recent turnaround from a loss position to profitability as clear evidence of what disciplined leadership, strategic focus, and accountability can achieve.

“We must now institutionalise these gains by embedding a culture of responsibility, customer-centricity and performance discipline at every level of the Bank,” the MD stated.

“The turnaround and performance of the Bank in 2025 did not just happen, but as a result of discipline, decisiveness, and our refusal to settle on a state of poor performance. This necessary course of action by leadership helped change the undesired state of the Bank to the destination of light and historical performance,” he added.

The MD challenged the conference participants and ADB staff as a whole to rise to the occasion by playing their respective roles well, and right for sustained growth of ADB.

Major highlights of the conference were presentations by speakers, Professor Robert Ebo Hinson, Dr. Abena Asomaning Antwi, Kenneth Kwamina Thompson, and the Bank’s General Manager for Retail Banking, Mr. Frank Okyere-Adarkwa.

Professor Robert Ebo Hinson spoke on Personal Leadership, Corporate Leadership and Collective Excellence. He urged participants to see leadership as a personal obligation, noting that strong institutions are built when individual discipline aligns with shared organisational values.

Chartered Accountant and business leader, Kenneth Kwamina Thompson delivered a thought-provoking session on Design Thinking for Growth, encouraging staff to consistently “walk in the shoes of the customer” when developing products, services and internal processes. He emphasised that sustainable growth depends on empathy, innovation and the ability to translate insight into execution.

Also addressing the conference was Dr. Abena Asomaning Antwi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Angel Zoe Foundation, who spoke on values-driven and servant leadership. She urged participants to recognise the broader human and social impact of leadership decisions, stressing that institutional success must ultimately reflect positively on society.

In a session focused on internal leadership capacity building, General Manager for Retail Banking, Frank Okyere-Adarkwa, spoke on Leadership That Scales, highlighting the importance of deliberate people development, data-driven decision-making and consistency in building high-performing teams across the Bank.

Participants described the conference as timely and impactful, noting that discussions moved beyond theory to practical leadership lessons relevant to their day-to-day roles.

The Inspire to Impact Conference forms part of ADB’s broader transformation agenda, aimed at strengthening leadership effectiveness, improving customer & service experience, and deepening a culture of performance, in line with the Bank’s strategic vision of being among the top three (3) banks in Ghana, globally admired for our people, process and performance.

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TCDA assures global buyers of cashew quality for 2026 season

The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has assured the global cashew market of Ghana’s raw cashew nuts’ (RCN) quality for the 2026 trading season.

CEO-TCDA Dr. Andrews Okrah gave this assurance at the 12th World Cashew Conference in Dubai, declaring the 2025/2026  trading season open and inviting global buyers to patronise Ghana’s cashew while guaranteeing them quality.

The conference is a major global gathering of cashew traders, processors, investors and industry leaders.

Dr. Okrah debunked earlier claims suggesting Ghana’s cashew are of poor quality, stating that both quantity and quality for the season remain strong.

“The TCDA expects a strong outturn with high Kernel Outturn Ratio (KOR) this year, as has been the case over many years,” he stated.

The TCDA boss emphasised that the country operates a structured and traceable cashew supply chain, underpinned by a regulatory framework enforced by TCDA.

He urged exporters and buyers to transact only with registered and licenced actors, noting that this enables the Authority to intervene effectively and resolve any operational or contractual challenges.

TCDA has undertaken strategic reforms to streamline Ghana’s cashew industry, aimed at promoting sustainability, transparency and global competitiveness.

Key among these interventions is the extensive stakeholder engagement process that culminated in an official announcement and validation of the cashew price, which was undertaken jointly by stakeholders and value chain actors.

As part of efforts to reinforce regulation across the tree crops sector, particularly the cashew industry, TCDA recently commissioned its first cohort of Compliance and Enforcement Officers.

The officers have been mandated to work with security agencies and District Assemblies to enforce compliance, curb illegal trading practices, prevent smuggling and protect farmers and licenced operators.

Production and processing potentials

The country’s raw cashew nut production has been fluctuating in recent years, with production in the 2024 season hitting approximately 161,000 metric tonnes; a sharp drop from the 230,000 metric tonnes produced in the 2023 season.

However, data from TCDA indicate that the 2025 production season witnessed some 255,000 tonnes….providing sufficient raw materials.

The increase of production has enabled processors to set an ambitious target to increase processing capacities by up to 85,000 metric tonnes in 2026.

This initiative aims to boost local value addition, create jobs and increase farmer incomes. Key efforts include improved farming techniques and addressing raw material shortages to support this growth.

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Cocoa farmers threaten ‘demo’ over unpaid COCOBOD arrears

Cocoa farmers across the country are threatening a nationwide demonstration next week over unpaid monies owed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for cocoa beans supplied since November 2025.

The farmers say months of delayed payments have plunged them into severe financial hardship, affecting their ability to cater for basic needs, including healthcare and school fees.

Speaking to Citi News, President of the Mankrong Cocoa Cooperative Farmers Association, Francis Teinor, urged COCOBOD and government authorities to act swiftly to clear the arrears to avert disruptions in the cocoa sector.

“It is really affecting farmers, some are sick and want to seek medication, but they don’t have money to go to the hospital. Do you want them to die? School has reopened and parents want to pay fees.

“We cannot also keep the cocoa because farmers don’t have the storage facilities.

“As I speak, it’s been about six weeks, no money for cocoa farmers. This is seriously affecting the sector. If the COCOBOD CEO does not do anything about it, he should expect something ugly from next week. Farmers are not happy, if he is not careful, we will be on the streets next week,” he said.

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FDA to safeguard consumers by introducing new requirements for heavy metal tests for sachet and bottled water

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has introduced new requirements for testing bottled and sachet drinking water for heavy metals as part of measures to safeguard consumers.

The FDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Food Division, Mr Roderick Daddey-Adjei, said the authority has expanded its surveillance system to include checks for contaminants such as lead in sachet and bottled water sold in Ghana.

Speaking in a radio interview on Citi FM on Tuesday [February 3, 2026], Mr Daddey-Adjei said the decision followed growing public concern about environmental pollution and its effect on drinking water.

“What we have done is that, for potable water, we have added the requirement to also check for heavy metals,” he said

“For mineral water, heavy metal testing is already part of the standard. For ordinary potable water, where that requirement did not previously exist, it has now been added.”

Mr Daddey-Adjei said the change means all registered water producers, including sachet and bottled water manufacturers, will now go through additional laboratory testing and routine checks.

He said the decision was informed by recent national discussions on pollution and its health implications.

“The issue of heavy metals has become a serious concern. Based on recent developments in the country, we have stepped up the requirements,” he said.

Mr Daddey-Adjei said the Authority has also drawn on findings from work carried out with international and local partners.

“We have done some work with UNICEF, which showed that lead levels in some children are worrying. That points to how serious the matter is,” he said.

According to him, the FDA is also engaging other state institutions in monitoring water sources and clarifying responsibilities along the supply chain.

“There are ongoing discussions between the FDA and local government on water suppliers, where they source their water from, the condition of the tankers they use, and whether the water supplied is safe,” he said.

Mr Daddey-Adjei explained that while the FDA regulates manufactured water products such as sachet and bottled water, oversight of informal water vendors and tanker operators involves other agencies.

“At the moment, there is no full assurance that water fetched by some suppliers comes from safe sources. These issues are being discussed so clear rules and duties are set out,” he said.

He said the introduction of heavy metal testing is intended to give the public more confidence in the safety of drinking water.

“All registered water, whether bottled or sachet, is now being checked so harmful substances are not passed on to consumers,” Mr Daddey-Adjei said.

He urged the public to continue buying water from registered sources while monitoring and enforcement activities continue.

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Agric Minister donates 50 Streetlights to the Biggest Livestock Market in West Africa

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku has donated fifty (50) streetlights to Turaku, biggest livestock market in the West Africa, at Kpong Katamanso.

Agric Minister made this donation when he paid a working visit to the Turaku Livestock Market to assess the working condition of the market on 2nd February 2026.

Minister acknowledged the good work of the Ghana National Livestock Breeders and Traders Association (GLIBTA) executives for proper managing the market to its standard. The market operates twenty-four hours (24 hours) nonstop.

To further promote the smooth operation of the 24-hour activities, and security of the Turaku international livestock market, Hon. Eric Opoku donated fifty (50) streetlights to the market.

“It has come to my notice that this market runs 24/7, movement of livestock from different countries to Ghana and from Ghana to other

countries, and this calls for providing lightening especially at night and as the MCE has provided you with some of the streetlights, I am adding up fifty (50) streetlights to enhance your economic activities and to promote the 24-hour services.

He commended the Divisional Police unit for the security that is been provided to ensure the smooth operation of the market.

He called the executives to maintain the facilities and assured them of the government promises to upplight the face of the market.

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President Mahama’s Vision for Aquculture Enhances as Fisheries Minister Tours Key Fish Farms Nationwide

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), has undertaken a two-day working visit to selected aquaculture farms in the Eastern, Volta and Greater Accra Regions as part of Government’s strategic efforts to expand domestic fish production, strengthen food security and create sustainable jobs, in line with the vision of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.

The visit forms part of Government’s broader agenda to reposition aquaculture as a key driver of import substitution, industrial growth and inclusive economic development under the President’s national development framework and the 24-Hour Economy policy.

Aquaculture as a National Development Priority
Addressing stakeholders during the tour, Hon. Emelia Arthur reaffirmed Government’s commitment, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, to transforming Ghana’s aquaculture sector into a modern, competitive and technology-driven industry capable of meeting national fish demand while creating jobs for youth and women along the value chain.

She noted that aquaculture remains central to achieving food security, reducing Ghana’s reliance on fish imports, and enhancing household incomes in both coastal and inland communities.

Day One: Eastern Region Visits
On Friday, January 30, 2026, the Minister toured four major aquaculture establishments in the Eastern Region, engaging directly with farm owners, managers and technical staff. The facilities visited were:
• Mordecai Farms, Kokoomu near Mamfe — Akuapem North Municipal
• Maleka Farms, Akuse — Lower Manya Krobo Municipal
• S-Hoint Fish Farm, Senchi — Asuogyaman District
• West African Fish Ltd, Asikuma — Asuogyaman District

The engagements allowed the Minister to assess production systems, operational challenges, fish health management practices, processing capacity and investment opportunities within the aquaculture value chain.

Day Two: Volta and Greater Accra Region Visits
The working visit continued on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with inspections of aquaculture and aquaculture-related facilities in the Volta and Greater Accra Regions. The Minister visited:
• Dongazi Fish Farm, Dabala — Central Tongu District (Volta Region)
• Fish and Feeds, Agortaga-Dabala — Central Tongu District (Volta Region)
• Bluesea Island, Kabenu-Sogakope — South Tongu District (Volta Region)
• Flossell Farms, Tademe-Sogakope — South Tongu District (Volta Region)
• Raanan Fish Feeds, Prampram — Ningo Prampram District (Greater Accra Region)
• Cycle Farms, Tema Industrial Area — Kpone Katamanso Municipal (Greater Accra Region)
These visits provided insight into feed production, hatchery operations, grow-out systems, processing infrastructure and private sector innovation supporting the aquaculture ecosystem.

Technology, Innovation and Research-Led Growth
During the tour, Hon. Emelia Arthur emphasized the importance of adopting improved technologies, strengthening biosecurity systems and promoting research-driven aquaculture. She highlighted lessons from countries such as China and Israel in fish health management, feed efficiency and production monitoring, noting that Government will continue to promote partnerships that support technology transfer and innovation.

Private Sector Engagement and Investment Support
Farm operators welcomed the Minister’s visit and shared practical recommendations to address sector bottlenecks, including access to finance, feed costs and energy reliability. The Minister assured stakeholders of Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private investment, public-private partnerships and large-scale aquaculture development nationwide.

Driving the President’s Vision
The nationwide working visit reaffirms Government’s resolve, under President John Dramani Mahama, to build a resilient and sustainable aquaculture sector that contributes meaningfully to national food security, employment creation and economic transformation.

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Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana calls for Structured Price Adjustments across Agricultural Inputs and Services.

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana has called for structured price adjustments across the agricultural value chain in response to favourable macroeconomic conditions. In a press statement issued by the Chamber, the release states;

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) acknowledges with appreciation the recent decision by the National Association of Seed Traders and Agro-input Dealers (NASTAG) to reduce seed prices for farmers a timely and economically rational response to prevailing macroeconomic developments.

Over the past several months, Ghana has witnessed a confluence of favorable economic indicators: a sustained decline in global petroleum prices, coupled with a notable appreciation and enhanced stability of the Ghana Cedi against major reserve currencies. These developments have significantly reduced input and operational costs across multiple sectors of the economy.

From a technical economic standpoint, the transmission mechanism from these macro-level improvements to end-user pricing is both direct and quantifiable:

  1. Fuel cost reductions lower transportation, mechanization, and logistics expenses throughout the agricultural value chain from farmgate to market.
  2. Cedi appreciation diminishes the landed cost of imported agro-inputs, including fertilizers, machinery, spare parts, and processing equipment by as much as 15–20% in real terms, based on current exchange rate trends.
  3. Empirical evidence from input-output models confirms that cost pass-through elasticity in agrifood systems is high; thus, savings at the import or wholesale level should translate proportionally into retail and consumer prices.
  4. Strategic price adjustments enhance real household income, stimulate aggregate demand for food, and directly advance national objectives on nutrition, poverty reduction, and inflation containment.

In this context, and in full alignment with His Excellency the President’s strategic vision of ensuring that “food is affordable, accessible, and abundant for every Ghanaian,” the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana hereby issues a formal appeal to all sector stakeholders including:

  • Fertilizer importers and distributors
  • Agro-machinery and equipment dealers
  • Commodity aggregators and processors
  • Input retailers and logistics service providers

to implement immediate, transparent, and proportionate price reductions reflective of current cost structures.

We call for a nationwide recalibration of pricing across the entire agricultural ecosystem covering seeds, fertilizers, machinery rentals, processed staples, and fresh produce to ensure that macroeconomic gains are equitably distributed and do not remain confined to upstream actors.

The Chamber further proposes the establishment of a Sectoral Price Monitoring Desk, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ghana Statistical Service, to track compliance, measure welfare impacts, and provide data-driven policy feedback.

This moment presents a critical opportunity to demonstrate corporate responsibility, sectoral solidarity, and unwavering commitment to national development priorities. Let us collectively turn macroeconomic stability into tangible household benefits.

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A Joint Technical Committee constituted to harmonise Ghana’s Blue Economy Strategy (BES) and the Ghana Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP)

The Senior Advisor to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, has held a high-level meeting with the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, in Accra to advance national efforts toward harmonising Ghana’s Blue Economy Strategy (BES) and the Ghana Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP).

The engagement formed part of ongoing government actions to strengthen policy coherence, enhance coordination across institutions, and ensure effective implementation of Ghana’s ocean and blue economy agenda in line with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

During the meeting, Dr. Thompson proposed the immediate establishment of a Joint Technical Committee comprising representatives from the Blue Economy Secretariat and the SDGs Advisory Unit. The Committee is expected to align activities, indicators, and progress-tracking mechanisms under both frameworks to ensure coordinated implementation and timely policy support to the Presidency, particularly ahead of international ocean-related engagements.

Proposed Membership of the Joint Technical Committee

Ms. Eyram Agbemava – Technical Advisor, SDGs Advisory Unit (Office of the President)

Mr. Fred K. Antwi-Boadu – Coordinator and Focal Person, Blue Economy Secretariat (MOFA)

Prof. Berchie Asiedu – Deputy Executive Director (Technical), Fisheries Commission

Ms. Patience Ampomah – Senior Planning Analyst, National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)

Ms. Jacqueline Aheto – Assistant Director I,
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Hon. Emelia Arthur welcomed the proposal and expressed her full support for the formation of the Joint Technical Committee.

She emphasised the importance of strong inter-sectoral collaboration in strengthening ocean governance, promoting sustainable fisheries management, and accelerating the implementation of Ghana’s blue economy priorities.

The Minister further noted that harmonising the two national frameworks will enhance efficiency, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure that Ghana presents a coherent and unified national position on ocean and blue economy issues at both regional and global levels.

The harmonisation initiative marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s commitment to sustainable marine resource management, climate resilience, food security, and inclusive economic growth, while reinforcing the country’s leadership role in global ocean governance and sustainable development.

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FDA dismisses claims of “akeshaa parazone” in waakye and some other foods

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that a hazardous substance known as “akeshaa parazone” is being used in the preparation of foods such as waakye, okro and “ayoyo” soup.

In a statement issued on January 28, 2026, the FDA said investigations and routine market surveillance have established that the substance commonly used by food vendors is sodium carbonate, locally known as soda ash or “light,” which is a globally recognised and approved food additive for specific applications.

According to the Authority, sodium carbonate is used in food preparation to enhance texture and colour, increase the sliminess of okro and ayoyo, and help tenderise foods such as meat or beans. It stressed that the substance is not a cleaning powder or bleach.

The FDA explained that the confusion stems from the similarity in appearance between soda ash and bleach, locally referred to as “akeshaa parazone,” as both are white powders.

However, it noted that the two substances are fundamentally different. While sodium carbonate is safe for consumption when used appropriately, bleach is toxic and corrosive and must never be used in food preparation.

“Sodium carbonate enhances the texture and colour of foods by altering pH levels. It increases the sliminess of okro and “ayoyo” and helps tenderise other foods such as meat or beans in “waakye.” The critical difference While sodium carbonate (soda ash light) and bleach (akeshaa parazone) may look similar, as both are white Powders. They are fundamentally different.

“Sodium carbonate is odourless with a salty taste and is safe for consumption as an additive. Bleach (akeshaa parazone) on the other hand, has a strong, pungent and toxic odour, and may cause severe health damage if ingested. Including burning and organ damage. It can be fatal. Bleach must never be used in food,” the statement said.

The Authority warned that bleach consumption can cause severe health damage, including burning of the mouth and throat and organ damage, and could be fatal.

The FDA said it is taking steps to protect public health and safety, including continuous market sensitisation and consumer education on the safe use of regulated products, as well as enforcing proper labelling of all regulated products with marketing authorisation.

It also urged the public to report any suspicious practices or products through its offices nationwide, its website, or official social media platforms and hotlines.

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