Ghanaian industry group takes aim at fake pesticides

A group in Ghana representing agrochemical importers and distributors has said it is working on a blueprint to tackle the scourge of counterfeit pesticides in the African nation.

CropLife Ghana – which has 20 agrochemical companies in its membership that collectively cover around two thirds of the crop protection product (CPP) market – said the blueprint will encourage public-private partnerships aimed at developing anti-counterfeiting programmes, according to a NewsGhana.com report.

The organisation's president – Peter Ampofo – also called on the Ghanaian government to take stronger measures to curb imports of counterfeit pesticides, which often contain chemicals that are either banned or restricted, with adverse consequences on health and the environment.