Improve food security due to reduced post-harvest losses, strengthen value chain for agricultural product distribution

Alleviate poverty levels due to higher supply of agricultural products, reduce food losses caused by incorrect post-harvest management, storage and logistics

Improve agricultural opportunities, generate cash inflows due exports that improve the trade balance

Possible soil sealing and degradation e.g. by removing the topsoil upper layer to develop a strong foundation for the building, which affects soil-related ecosystem services. This may reduce soil water holding capacity (affecting flooding), pose a threat to soil biodiversity (sealing prevents recycling of dead organic material) and interfere with the carbon cycle (due to topsoil and vegetation removal).(3)

Health hazards if chemicals are applied (4)

Address post-harvest losses and contribute to food security of agricultural households.

Ghana Shared Growth Development Agenda II (GSGDA II) 2014–2017: This policy highlights the need for higher agricultural productivity to ensure food and nutrition security. Increased production will facilitate public and private investments in post-harvest management operations.(20b)

Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II): This policy notes markets are characterized by the lack of suitable commodity-specific storage facilities. Although published in 2007, the document is still considered Ghana's main agricultural policy.(21)

Investing for Food and Jobs (IFJ) - An Agenda for Transforming Ghana’s Agriculture (2018-2021): This policy prioritizes poor storage and transportation systems as one of the major developmental issues. It states that 'incentives to the private sector to invest in post-harvest activities will be made'.(22)

National Nutrition Policy 2016: This policy emphasizes that Ghana's nutrition situation depends on food availability, access and utilization at household and national level. It acknowledges the challenges to food security that often occur across the food chain.(23)

Ghana National Climate Change Master Plan Action Programmes for Implementation 2015–2020: This policy plans for improved post-harvest management, by supporting the provision of processing and storage infrastructure.(24)

Financial incentives: Under the Ghana Shared Growth Development Agenda II (GSGDA II) (2014–2017), the government will ensure 'an adequate flow of financial resources to agriculture and aquaculture' with particular attention to smallholder farmers.(44)

Fiscal incentives: Food produced in Ghana and sold in its raw state and equipment for agriculture and fishing are listed among goods and services exempted from Value Added Tax and the National Health Insurance Levy (VAT/NHI).(41) Agricultural and industrial plant, machinery and equipment imported for investment purposes are exempted from customs import duty.(42) Companies operating in the livestock, fish and cash crops sectors enjoy a tax concessionary rate of 1% on their chargeable income for the first 5 years from commencement.(43)

Ghana Public Health Act 2012: This Act prohibits sale of poor quality food.(25) Standards Authority Act 1973: This Act gives the Ghana Standards Authority the right to check foods quality parameters (e.g. pesticide residues).(26)

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 2013: This Act sets out regulations, which provide benefits and regulations for an enterprise registered by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).(27)

Ghana Grain Council (GGC) Warehouse Certification Program: GGC offers an audit-based certification scheme, which uses the Warehousing and Fulfilment Process Benchmark and Best Practices Guide. It evaluates a facility’s potential and capacities to perform core warehousing functions.(40)

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is the main regulatory body responsible for legislations within the agriculture sector.(47) The Ghana Standards Authority sets Food, Chemistry and Material Standards (FMS).(45)

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for preserving the natural environment and preventing its degradation.(46) The Food and Drugs Authority sets regulations and licensing frameworks for food handling practices.(48)

Garin West Africa (GWA), Green Gold Farms Ghana Ltd, ABC Hansen Africa, Ponndorf Anlagenbau GmbH

Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Food and Drugs Board, Environmental Protection Agency

World Bank (WB), European Investment Bank (EIB), African Development Bank (AfDB)

Conference of Heads of African and French Agricultural Research (CORAF), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), KfW Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)