The havoc being caused by Pests to Agricultural produce and measures to stem them
was central to two presentations made by Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture,
Mr Ernest Debrah, and Mr Oloche Anebi Edache, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Africa.

Opening the four-day workshop for the Review of Draft International Standards for Phytosanitary
Measures (ISPM) in Accra, Mr Debrah pointed out that the standards are important if the fight against pest introduction is to gain any grounds.

He referred to damage being made by Cassava mealy bug, cassava mites, black Sigatoka on
Banana and Plantains, the Mango Mealy bug, the poly phagous spiraling white fly and recently a fruit fly on Mango which is affecting the export of the crops.

Mr. Debrah said given agriculture’s contribution to our national economies, such pest invasions
must give cause for great concern to all.

“This should be the basis why we should as much as possible ensure that the spread of pests to new areas are kept as low as possible....", he added.

He commended the IPPC of the FAO of the United Nations for doing its best to reduce to the barest minimum pest invasion of crop farms, adding that some interventions such as the development and adoption of the globally accepted integration standards for phtosanitary measures (ISPM) is commendable.

Mr. Debrah also commended the FAO of the UN for providing to Ghana, technical assistance in the form of Capacity Building (both human and equipment) to control pest incidences, support in the development of legislation and regulations to check pest introduction, support to participate in international meetings and conferences.

Mr. Debrah stressed on the need for further support for countries with less developed economies like ours in the implementation of these measures.

Mr. Edache also noted that the implementation of specific standards will in turn contribute to preventing the Spread of pests and to facilitate trade.

He further said, realistic and objective standards will protect the health of consumers and promote trade, besides controlling spread of pests.

Active participation of all African Countries in standard-setting is therefore essential for the Region as a whole, he said.

Mr. Edache outlined objectives of the four-day workshop and the five drafts under study this year.

These include –
Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests;
Guidelines for consignments in transit;
Principles for the protection of plant health (revision of ISPM No. 1);
Requirements for the establishment and maintenance of pest free areas
for tephritid fruit flies; and,
Requirements for the submission of phytosanitary treatments.