HortiFresh in consultation with public and private actors in the food safety and certification sector, inaugurated a “Food Safety Taskforce” aimed at developing strategies and activities to address current and emerging food safety challenges in the horticulture sector. The event took place at the Swiss Spirit Alias Hotel on March 12, 2020.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Policy Officer in charge of Agribusiness at the Netherlands Embassy, Mr. Abdulai Abdul Rahaman, indicated the importance of enhancing institutional efforts to improve the food safety situation of fruits and vegetables in Ghana.

According to Mr. Rahaman the taskforce will push the agenda for food safety and improve consumer confidence. He expressed appreciation for the initiative to all stakeholders gathered and challenged them to make the horticulture sector more attractive also in the context of youth employment.

At the event, the Programme Manager of HortiFresh, Mrs. Sheila Assibey-Yeboah shared highlights on the objectives of the Taskforce, which includes reviewing the food safety situation in the country and promote both international and domestic standards of fruit and vegetables. In addition, she indicated that the Taskforce will coordinate campaigns and consumer education on food safety, as well as support the enforcement of food safety standards that exist in the country. She also mentioned that HortiFresh plays a facilitating role to support activities of the Taskforce.

The Taskforce is made up of various stakeholders from research and knowledge institutes, exporter associations, processors and retailers of fruit and vegetables, regulatory authorities and agencies, development partners and agro input dealers.