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Ghana risks losing an estimated $50 million in revenue if the European Union (EU) enforces a ban on the export of vegetables and other produce due to the ongoing damage caused by illegal mining activities.
The Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (VEPEAG) has raised concerns about the serious impact such a ban would have on the industry.
In 2014, the EU imposed a three-year ban on the import of gourds and Asian vegetables, such as chillies and aubergines, from Ghana due to pest infestations that threatened the EU’s ecosystem. This led to a loss of about $30 million in revenue for the country. Although the ban was lifted after an EU Food and Veterinary Office assessment, VEPEAG now fears a similar situation due to the pollution of water sources used for irrigation, which is linked to illegal mining.
Dr. Felix Mawuli Kamasah, President of VEPEAG, urged the government to take immediate action to protect the sector during an interview.
“We are calling on the government to quickly implement policies regarding standards and quality control measures. This will help safeguard the industry. If the ban is enforced, many will lose their jobs, particularly young people who are heavily invested in vegetable farming and agribusiness. If nothing is done, we’re looking at a potential loss of $50 million,” he said.
VEPEAG also reaffirmed its intention to join forces with Organized Labour by the end of September in a demonstration against the government if no decisive measures are taken to combat illegal mining.
“If the president does not introduce a policy by the end of the month, and we don’t hear from him, we will join the Labour movement in their demonstration. We are telling the president to act swiftly, just as he did with the COVID-19 crisis,” Dr. Kamasah warned.
Source:Omanghana.com
