Accra, (Greater Accra) 22nd July '99,

Mr Alex Ntiforo, Acting Director of the Ghana Standards Board (GSB), on Wednesday said no efforts should be spared in ensuring continuous growth of the fishery industry because of its economic value.

He said fishery products have become one of the most important non-traditional export commodities in the country, especially at the time when prices of traditional export commodities are fast declining on the international market.

Mr Ntiforo said this in a speech read for him by Mr Neils Lartey Hesse, Acting Deputy Director of GSB, at a day's review seminar held in Accra on the export of fish to the European Union (EU).

The seminar, which is the third in a series, is to enable the operators to identify critical points in the industry which need to be controlled either biologically or chemically.

He said since July 1998, Ghana has been listed in "Group One of the Third Countries" authorised by the European Commission to export fishery products to its member states.

To qualify to export fishery products to the EU, establishments and vessels must meet stiff requirements including high safety standards.

Mr Ntiforo said although the board had listed only six approved establishments in 1998, they have now listed 14 land establishments and 20 Freezer Vessels.

The establishments, he said, are made up of canneries, one company dealing in smoked and dried fish, six dealing in live lobsters and another five dealing in fish and frozen fish.

The Acting Director said to consolidate Ghana's position as a recognised fish exporter to the EU, the GSB will continue to organise refresher courses for approved establishments and vessels owners.

He said the Board has also put in place training programmes to educate prospective exporters to enable them to meet the requirements.

Mr Ntiforo said the Japanese Government's acknowledgement of the GSB Chemical Laboratory as a recognised institution for chemical analysis and certification for food and food-related products being exported to Japanese markets, shows the determination of the board to assist willing local stakeholders and players to attain greater heights in their operations.

GRi