Accra: The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) have launched a regional training programme in Accra aimed at enhancing food safety standards across Africa.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-week training, which began last Monday, is focused on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) for conducting supervised field trials of crops. In a news statement signed by Dr. Mark Kwasi Sarfo, Manager of the Communication and Public Relations Centre at GAEC, and shared with the Ghana News Agency, the initiative seeks to build technical capacity among African scientists. This will aid in generating credible data on pesticide residues, crucial for establishing Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) that protect consumer health and facilitate international trade.
The statement indicated that the training, funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under its Technical Cooperation Programme, is part of the regional project RAF5091, titled ‘Enhancing Human and Analytical Capacities for Food Safety Standards.’ Scientists from 18 African countries, including Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco, are participating in the workshop.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. James Sasanya, Technical Officer for the IAEA project, commended the Government of Ghana, GAEC, and GSA for hosting the training. He emphasised the importance of reliable scientific data in shaping global food safety standards and cautioned that countries without such data risk exclusion from key international decisions.
Mr. Sasanya also called for increased regional collaboration, institutional support, and the nomination of qualified participants to ensure the project’s long-term impact. He noted that the IAEA’s four-year food safety initiative, launched in 2024, also supports training in veterinary drug residues, mycotoxins, and toxic metals, along with assistance in acquiring specialised equipment and supplies.
Delivering a message on behalf of GAEC’s Director-General, Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare, the Director of Schools at GAEC, Professor Joseph Richmond Fianko, highlighted the significance of hosting the event in Ghana. He stressed the need for harmonised food safety standards across Africa to ensure global competitiveness.
The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, urged African scientists to become more vocal in influencing national and regional policy. He encouraged them to step beyond research and contribute to public discourse on science-based standards, noting the importance of scientific evidence and strategic communication in today’s transactional world.
The training is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and empower African nations to play a more assertive role in shaping global food safety protocols, reinforcing a shared vision for a science-led regulatory environment across the continent.