Ghana's agricultural exports reached a significant US$3.4 billion during the 2022-2023 period, with cocoa and cocoa preparations leading the charge at US$1.090 billion. However, the country's non-traditional exports (NTEs) saw a decline, dropping from US$511 million in 2022 to US$494 million in 2023. Major contributors to the NTEs include cashew nuts, bananas, and yams, with key export markets being the EU, USA, UK, Canada, and UAE [8415f4cb].
A pressing concern for Ghana's agricultural sector is the illegal mining activities known as galamsey, which threaten the quality of agricultural exports and jeopardize compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. Heavy metals from these illegal mining operations are contaminating crops and water sources, raising alarms among industry stakeholders [8415f4cb].
Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu has warned that the cocoa industry, a cornerstone of Ghana's economy, could face dire consequences if these issues are not addressed promptly. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has also highlighted the risks of contamination, emphasizing that the potential loss of foreign exchange could destabilize the nation's economy [8415f4cb].
In light of these challenges, urgent action is needed to mitigate the impact of galamsey on Ghana's agricultural exports. Without effective measures to combat illegal mining and its repercussions, the future of Ghana's agri-food trade hangs in the balance [8415f4cb].