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The 2023 FAIRS Annual Country Report provides up to date information on the regulations and procedures for the importation of food and agricultural products to Ghana.

This report provides information on the certificates required for the importation of food and agricultural products into Ghana, plus further information on food product registration, labeling, import permits and other relevant information to assist U.S. exporters.

Ghana’s Hotel and Restaurant Institutional sector is growing, with tourism being an important driver of economic growth. In 2019, the sector generated U.S. $1.9 billion for the economy. Local and international franchises operate in major cities across the country.

Seafood is an important staple in Ghanaian cuisine as it accounts for 60 percent of animal protein intake with an estimated per capita consumption rate of 26 kg. U.S. seafood sales to Ghana recently experienced a boost in sales, however, sustained seafood exports from the U.S. are at risk due to the Government of Ghana’s (GOG) recent announcement to increase the tax 1,573 percent per metric ton on frozen seafood.

The impacts of climate change are beginning to manifest on the entire globe and particularly on developing countries like Ghana. The country is vulnerable to rising sea levels, droughts, increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall which adversely impacts infrastructure, hydropower production, food security and coastal and agricultural livelihoods.

Post forecasts MY2023/24 palm oil production up by 20 percent over the current marketing year’s estimate. Total domestic consumption is forecast marginally up, imports are expected to drop by 14 percent due to increased domestic production, but exports are forecast significantly up compared to the current marketing year’s estimate.

Ghana’s economic growth was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Following the pandemic-induced slowdown, economic recovery was expected to grow in 2022 to 5.5 percent.

Commercial dry bean production in Ghana is limited to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), which has two sub-species with commercial value in Ghana; the black-eyed pea, which is the most popularly grown sub-species in Ghana, and the red/dark brown sub-species.

Assurances of support from bilateral creditors and the IMF, and goodwill from the international community in helping Ghana weather the economic storm has offered a brighter hope of an economic resurgence.

Traditionally, Ghana’s livestock sector mainly comprises cattle (for beef), sheep, goats, pigs (hogs), and poultry enterprises.

In a signed letter to the Veterinary Medical Officer of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), dated January 12, 2023, the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ghanaian Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture acknowledged receipt of the FSIS’ proposed certificate of export for pork and pork products, and confirmed its acceptance.

Ghana has experienced a sudden economic downturn, a product of internal miscalculations and external shocks. Once ranked among the fastest growing economies in the world, Ghana has lost the steam that made it a shining example of a well-managed economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, and now finds itself in economic turmoil.