The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has received rice processors under the Industrial Technology, Equipment, and Quality (ITEQ) initiative being implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with funding support from the Government of Japan.

The initiative seeks to strengthen Ghana’s rice value chain through improved technology, enhanced quality control, and greater competitiveness.

It forms part of a three-year project being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in the Northern and Ashanti Regions, aimed at contributing to food security and supporting Ghana’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of the ITEQ project, UNIDO has presented advanced laboratory equipment to the FDA in Accra to boost the Authority’s analytical and quality control capacity.

The equipment, including a Proximate Analyser and a Kjeldahl Analyser with accessories, will enable the FDA to accurately determine the nutritional composition and protein content of rice and related food products, in line with both national and international food standards.

At a brief ceremony in Accra, Ebenezer Kofi Essel, Director of Industrial Support Services at the FDA, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, expressed appreciation to UNIDO for the gesture.

He noted that the equipment would empower the FDA to better fulfil its mandate of ensuring the safety and quality of food products on the Ghanaian market.

“Through this support, the FDA will continue to meet its mandate of protecting public health by ensuring food safety and quality, and enforcing compliance among rice value-chain actors, including millers, processors, and aggregators,” Mr Essel stated.

He added that the equipment will strengthen the FDA’s regulatory oversight, improve the competitiveness of locally produced rice, and enhance consumer confidence in made-in-Ghana food products.

“This donation is not only an investment in equipment but also in scientific excellence, data integrity, and evidence-based decision-making,” he emphasised.

“It will enable the FDA to deliver reliable analytical results to support effective policy implementation and regulation.”

For his part, David Darko, UNIDO’s Director of Capacity Building, reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

He outlined UNIDO’s priority focus on supporting businesses from “farm to fork,” promoting renewable energy use, and strengthening sustainable supply chains to ensure fair trade and resource preservation.

He explained that under the ITEQ initiative, UNIDO aims to advance technological upgrades and enhance the sectoral competitiveness of Ghana’s rice value chain, particularly in post-harvest processing and crop management.

Mr Darko further disclosed that the donation will be followed by specialised training sessions from the equipment manufacturers to ensure proper use and preventive maintenance, thereby maximising efficiency and prolonging the lifespan of the equipment.

The partnership between UNIDO, FDA, MoFA, and the Government of Japan underscores a shared commitment to food safety, industrial development, and economic growth, marking another significant step toward achieving sustainable, high-quality rice production in Ghana.