FERTILIZER POLICY

FOR GHANA
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
March 2013

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 Table of Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................................... 3

FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................... 4
PREFACE .......................................................................................................................................... 5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 6
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 8
2.0 Definition of Fertilizer .............................................................................................................. 8
3.0 Vision, Goal and Objectives of the Fertilizer Subsector........................................................... 9
3.1 Vision Statement ................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Goal ....................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Fertilizer Policy Objectives ................................................................................................... 9
3.4 Expected Outcomes ......................................................................................................... 11
4.0 Premises and Principles underlying the Fertilizer Policy ....................................................... 12
4.1 Premises .............................................................................................................................. 12
4.2 Principles ............................................................................................................................. 12
5.0 Policy directions...................................................................................................................... 14
5.1 Fertilizer Production....................................................................................................... 14
5.2 Imports and Exports ....................................................................................................... 15
5.3 Marketing within Ghana................................................................................................. 16
5.4 Environmental Sustainability ......................................................................................... 16
5.5 Research and Development ................................................................................................. 17
5.6 Quality Control ............................................................................................................... 17
5.7 Fertilizer Use (Education, Extension Services and Security) ........................................ 18
5.8 Governance and Institutional Roles ............................................................................... 19
6.0 Monitoring and Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 21
7.0 Policy Review ......................................................................................................................... 21

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
AU African Union

CRI Clean Report of Inspection

DCS Directorate of Crop Services

DAES Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services

ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States

MoFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture

NARES National Agricultural Research and Extension System

PPMED Policy, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Directorate

PPRSD Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate

R&D Research and Development

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FOREWORD
Nutrient deficiencies in Ghana, and the resultant very low crop yields experienced by our farmers, is
a matter of serious concern for the Government and peoples of the Republic of Ghana. These losses,
which are estimated to range from 30 – 80 percent of achievable crop yields, not only threaten the
food security needs of the country but also increase the poverty levels of food crop farmers.
Fertilizers are main inputs that are utilized to address soil infertility and soil nutrient deficiency
problems for increased crop productivity. However, the fertilizer value chain requires an enabling
environment to function efficiently.

In its effort to create an enabling environment for sustainable growth and development in the
agricultural sector, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture have developed policy instruments for
effectively addressing major socio-economic concerns in fertilizer imports, production and use in the
agricultural sector. The high cost of fertilizer products at farm gate and the very low fertilizer usage
by Ghanaian farmers challenge government efforts at achieving and sustaining a 6 percent annual
increase in agricultural and food production proposed in the Accelerated Agricultural Growth and
Development Strategy, the Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy and the Medium Term
Agricultural Sector Investment Plan.

The Fertilizer Policy for Ghana supports the implementation of a competitive fertilizer subsector that
leads to economic growth through sustainable environmental management and industrial growth
linked to science, technology and innovation.

I wish to acknowledge the support of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the
International Fertilizer Development Center and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for
the development of the Fertilizer Policy for Ghana.

It is with great pleasure that I present this Fertilizer Policy document for Ghana as a confirmation of
the determination of the Government of Ghana to minimize potential crop losses associated with soil
infertility and soil nutrient deficiencies.

Hon. Clement Kofi Humado

The Minister - MOFA

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PREFACE
The formulation of the Fertilizer policy for Ghana demonstrates the conviction to develop a set of
guidelines and time frame to meet the commitments of the country to the objectives of the Abuja
Declaration made at the 2006 Fertilizer Summit in Nigeria. The document delineates actions which
directly impact farm production to largely achieve some of the objectives of Programmes 1, 2, 4 and
5 of the METASIP and the outcomes of their components. Agriculture has been expected to lead the
growth and structural transformation of the economy and maximize the benefits of accelerated
growth in all the Economic Growth Strategies of Ghana in the past. This call for higher agricultural
productivity that depends on the use of planting materials with high potentials to produce more but
these potentials can be tapped when the materials get the best nutrition from the growing media –
mostly the soil. The use of fertilizer is indispensable in this case. However an increased use of
fertilizer depends on a host of interventions that have to be guided by a clear cut policy.

This policy document defines the different substances to be considered as fertilizer in Ghana
widening the scope to reap the economic benefits. The vision, goal and objectives are geared towards
building a competitive fertilizer subsector supporting sustainable environmental management and
industrial growth. The link to science, technology and innovation to trigger and maintain this
competitive subsector is enunciated. The strategies for ensuring the fertilizer policy impacts on the
country’s economic growth are addressed. Outcomes over the next 15 years are stated setting out a
framework to monitor the policy implementation after it comes into force. An institutional
framework for an enhanced management of the fertilizer subsector and review of this policy
document is also elaborated.

This fertilizer policy document was prepared and finalized through a participatory process using the
National Fertilizer Policy of Nigeria as one of the resource materials and involving an impressive
range of stakeholders: scientists; civil servants; industrialists; fertilizer importers, distributors and
retailers; academics and development workers.

It is the aspiration of the Government and the people of Ghana as well as all the stakeholders in the
fertilizer subsector that the objectives of this policy will be fulfilled.

Maurice Tanco Abisa-Seidu

The Chief Director - MOFA
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This Fertilizer policy document was prepared through the selfless commitment of various
persons and organizations. It is not possible to mention all of them, not only because space and
time will not permit but also some have contributed incognito.

Dr. Augustine Langyintuo of AGRA, Dr. Francis Tetteh of the Soil Research Institute and Mr.
Vesper Suglo, Director at the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of
the Ministry of Food and Agriculture were instrumental in putting a group together to think
through and plan the execution of this work. The International Fertilizer Development Center
(IFDC) accepted to lead when asked to, since it was coordinating two West Africa wide projects
– the Marketing Inputs Regional (MIR Plus) and the West Africa Fertilizer Programme - that
impacts on the policy arena related to fertilizer production, distribution and use.

The experts who prepared and finalized the drafts were Dr. Victor Attuquaye Clottey, formerly
of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and now with CAB International
(CABI), and Mrs. Felicia Ansah-Amprofi, a Deputy Director in-charge of the Pesticide and
Fertilizer Regulatory Division at the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate of the
Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The various working groups made up of representatives of stakeholder organizations that

contributed enormously in shaping up the draft included: Dr. Kofi Debrah, Mr. Emmanuel K.M.
Alognikou, Dr. Ekwe Dossa and Mr. Stephen Awuah of IFDC; Dr. Francis Tetteh of the CSIR-
Soil Research Institute and Dr. Wilson Dogbe of the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research
Institute; Dr. Antony Chapoto, a Research Fellow at IFPRI; Prof. Robert Abaidoo of the Faculty
of Agriculture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Mr.
Felix Nyamedor of the Regional Institute for Population Studies at the University of Ghana;
Messrs E. Asante Krobea, Samuel Yaovi Dotse and A. Manu Addae of the Directorate of Crop
Services of MoFA; Messrs Ernest Osei Assibey, Eric Dzimado, Lawrence Alato and Gerald
Mantey Asare of the PPRSD-MoFA; Dr. K. Amezah, the Director of the Directorate of
Agricultural Extension Services of MoFA; Mr. Daniel Brain Akakpo and Mr. Ken Kinney from
the Development Institute; Mr. Paul Adu Brako and Ms. Renee Montgomery represented

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ECASARD. The private sector was represented by Mr. Gregory Amprofi from CHEMICO, Mr.
Kwesi Bissi from GBI-HANJER, Rev B. T. S. Amartey and Mr. Felix Brakatu of the Ghana
Agro-Input Dealers’ Association (GAIDA) and Mr. Venay Pooner of AFCOTT. Dr. Ulaç
Demirag of IFAD also sent in written comments to the working groups. All the aforementioned
and their organizations can claim a share in the authorship due to the intensive interest they
showed in its preparation.

The Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) financed this work.

Vesper Suglo

Director - PPRSD

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1.0 Introduction
Soil degradation and food insecurity are intrinsically linked. To ensure sustainable food
production in Ghana, the soil which is one of the major production factors should also be
preserved in a sustainable way. All actions and inactions that lead to degradation of the potency
of the soil to sustain food production thus not meeting the demands of the population must be
minimized till they barely exist or are totally stopped.

Crop production need not be done through the mining of the soil. There is the need to replenish
the soil through the encouragement of an efficient, equitable and environmentally safe use of
fertilizer – be it organic, mineral, biological or any combination thereof. This will however
depend not only on sound agronomic practices but also on the provision of appropriate fertilizer
products at competitive prices and above all the existence of favourable fertilizer policy
environment. Such a fertilizer policy should fit well into and also be well supported by other
policies embracing areas like: the micro-economy; pricing and subsidy; supply and credit;
research and extension; and the environment. Through these, marketing arrangements that
eliminate inefficiencies in fertilizer imports, production and distribution can be instituted. The
elimination of such inefficiencies invariably leads to the provision of quality fertilizer on time at
lower cost to farmers.

This Fertilizer policy gives room to address the constraints and agronomic potential of fertilizer
use. It also does not fall short of highlighting the security implications of boosting fertilizer
production and distribution in Ghana. It encourages the indigenous mastery of the science in
fertilizer production, distribution and use; linkages with other legal instruments within Ghana
and the Sub-region.

2.0 Definition of Fertilizer

Generally “Fertilizer” means any substance containing or providing one or more recognized
plant nutrient(s) and thus it is used to promote plant growth;

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Specifically:

a) “Inorganic Fertilizer” means Fertilizer produced by chemical processes or mined

derivatives of an inorganic substance or synthetic organic substance.
b) “Organic Fertilizer” means Fertilizer derived from non-synthetic organic material,
including sewage sludge, animal manures, and plant residues prepared through
composting, fermentation, mincing, grinding, soaking, drying or other similar methods to
enhance the use of the plant nutrients it contains.
c) “Bio-fertilizer” means any substance which contains living micro-organisms which when
applied to seed, plant surfaces or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the
plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to
the host plant(s).
d) Any combinations of the three above.

3.0 Vision, Goal and Objectives of the Fertilizer Subsector

3.1 Vision Statement

To develop a competitive Fertilizer subsector that ensures environmentally sustainable
agricultural production through timely dissemination of adequate quantities of quality and
affordable Fertilizer products and information on them.

3.2 Goal
The goal of the policy is to promote a viable agro-industrial economy, integrated fully into
national development strategies for poverty reduction, competitiveness of agribusinesses,
sustainable environmental management and industrial growth.

3.3 Fertilizer Policy Objectives

The basic objectives of the Fertilizer Policy are to:

I. Facilitate the mastering of scientific, technological and organizational capabilities for

Fertilizer production and its increased utilization in Ghana;
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 II. Provide the framework for efficient marketing of quality Fertilizer within the boundaries
of the Republic of Ghana;

III. Provide the framework for the competitive imports and exports of quality and appropriate
Fertilizer raw materials and products;

IV. Promote the culture of judicious use of Fertilizer to ensure environmental sustainability.

These shall be achieved through the following strategies:

I. Create a favourable macroeconomic and fiscal environment that contributes to Fertilizer

retail price stabilization so as to enhance its use by farmers;

II. Sustain increased demand for Fertilizer through appropriate pricing of Fertilizer products
and their distribution and marketing;

III. Provide appropriate incentives for investment in Fertilizer production and marketing
enterprises including establishing effective funding mechanisms for Fertilizer
manufacturers, importers and agro input dealers;

IV. Encourage and facilitate the rational use of local raw materials in Fertilizer production;

V. Create economies of scale by facilitating the integration of the national Fertilizer market
into the larger sub-regional Fertilizer market;
VI. Promulgate and effectively enforce an enabling legal and regulatory framework that
ensure good quality Fertilizer to farmers and protect private sector investment against
unethical practices in the market;

VII. Promulgate and effectively enforce legal and regulatory frameworks to prevent
manufacturers/blenders from polluting the environment;

VIII. Support research and rural development activities that enable farmers to earn
remunerative profits through improved Fertilizer use efficiency, higher yields and
efficient marketing of inputs and farm produce;

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 IX. Facilitate balanced application of Fertilizer consistent with the agronomic requirements
of the different cropping systems in the various agro-ecological zones, based on soil
testing;
X. Encourage best management practices that do not undermine the environment in the
course of Fertilizer use;
XI. Support the National Agricultural Research and Extension System (NARES) to evaluate
soil-fertilizer interaction on a regular basis in the different agro-ecological zones;
XII. Facilitate the widespread and timely availability of appropriate and reliable data and
information about the national and international Fertilizer markets;
XIII. Promote market friendly fertilizer support programs beneficial to national needs and
priorities;
XIV. Use known industry technologies and processes to more accurately forecast demand and
achieve timely delivery of Fertilizer.

3.4 Expected Outcomes

The following outcomes are expected when the policy comes into effect:

I. National institutions in partnership with the private sector are more responsive to national
Fertilizer needs and priorities within the first five years;
II. Functional Fertilizer value chains applying Research and Development findings and ably
competing on the global market exist within the first ten years;
III. Endogenous scientific, technological and organizational capacities appropriate to harness
national resources to respond to Fertilizer needs and priorities are built within fifteen
years;
IV. A culture of judicious use of Fertilizer to address the severe declining soil fertility status
to promote agricultural productivity and agro-industrial growth is developed within
fifteen years.

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4.0 Premises and Principles underlying the Fertilizer Policy
The effective implementation of the Fertilizer Policy will be guided by these key premises and
principles:

4.1 Premises
I. An Agricultural Revolution constitutes the way to get majority of Ghanaian farmers out
of the poverty trap by achieving food and livelihood security as well as other relevant
Millennium Development Goals;

II. Fertilizer is crucial for achieving increased productivity and food security in view of the
rapidly rising populations, and declining soil fertility;

III. Most farmers in Ghana are poor, have limited access to Fertilizer and the poorest among
them urgently need special attention and support;

IV. There is the urgent need for a strategic investment program to increase the availability
and use of quality Fertilizer alongside other inputs to promote an effective Agricultural
Revolution in Ghana;

V. Fertilizer products , from inorganic, organic and microbial sources, have been declared a
strategic commodity without borders by the African Union; and

VI. African Union Member States have resolved to accelerate farmers’ timely access to
Fertilizer.

4.2 Principles
In order to realize the vision stated above, the Fertilizer subsector activities would be based on
the following set of principles:

The principle of legality: The implementation of this policy instrument should be backed by
the appropriate legislation(s).

The principle of credibility: The formulation, appraisal, implementation and review mechanism
of the Fertilizer policy should follow due process to ensure its credibility.
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The principle of gradual approach: Any policy reforms on Fertilizer whenever necessary shall
be gradual within the time frame agreed upon by all stakeholders.

The principle of regional and international consistency: The national policy instruments
should be in harmony with the prevailing Economic Community of West Africa States
(ECOWAS), African Union (AU), and other international policies on Fertilizer.

The principle of holistic approach: Fertilizer can be an inorganic, biological or organic

substance as well as an industrial product, an agricultural input, as well as a tradable commodity
and shall be seen as such.

The principle of partnership and dialogue: All stakeholders in the Fertilizer subsector shall be
constantly involved in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes of the policy
instruments.

The principle of fiscal responsibility: The required financial resources shall be committed to
the implementation of the Fertilizer Policy directions.

The principle of market orientation: The promotion of a competitive Fertilizer market shall be
addressed prominently in the implementation of this policy document.

The principle of enhancing local content: The production, distribution and marketing of
fertilizer and its products in Ghana shall be seen to involve more and more the use of local raw
materials, expertise and services

The principle of truth-in-labeling: All Fertilizer products offered for sale in Ghana shall meet
the minimum labeling requirement of having the grade, guaranteed analysis and net weight well
indicated on them. The sources of the elements and the manufacturer’s or blender’s address shall
also appear on the label. The quality control of the products shall be based on the truthfulness of
the claims on the label.

The Principle of effective fertilizer use: This requires that macro and micronutrients shall be
used in balanced proportions based on soil testing and crop requirements in the different agro
ecological zones in Ghana.

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The Principle of environmental sustainability: The environment shall be conserved and
protected through the efficient use of Fertilizer.

5.0 Policy directions

The following shall be the policy directions for the Fertilizer subsector in Ghana stemming from
the vision, goal, objectives and governing principles stated above :

5.1 Fertilizer Production

5.1.1 Production of Fertilizers in Ghana shall be open to national and international private
investors.

5.1.2 All investors interested in establishing a Fertilizer production plant in the country must
comply with the requirements of all National Laws and Legislative Instruments as well as
the National Policy on Trade and Industry, the National Policy on Food and Agriculture,
the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and the existing legal policy on
the manufacture and trade of explosives.

5.1.3 The Government shall encourage domestic production of Fertilizers through appropriate
targeted tax relief and tariff regime as well as maintaining a stable exchange rate,
controlling inflation and allowing favourable and reasonable expatriate quota and income
repatriation.

5.1.4 The Government shall encourage the exploration and development of the country’s raw
material potential for Fertilizer production based on comprehensive feasibility studies.

5.1.5 The Government shall ensure that the risk associated with the provision of and access to
funds for investment in Fertilizer production and raw material development is reduced by
working with the financing institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

5.1.6 Fertilizer types and formulations to be produced in country must conform to

recommendations made by statutory bodies based on soil fertility status and crop nutrient
requirements in the different agro ecological zones of the country.

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 5.1.7 Fertilizer types to be produced by prospective producers must conform to national
fertilizer standards.

5.1.8 Producers shall be encouraged to use locally available raw materials and the services of
local experts as much as possible, in their production process.

5.1.9 It shall be required of all local Fertilizer producers to establish a functional internal
quality control mechanism.

5.2 Imports and Exports

5.2.1 The importation and exportation of Fertilizer in Ghana shall be the preserve of the
private sector.

5.2.2 In a bid to develop economies-of-scale, the Government of Ghana may consider

mechanisms to pool the country’s fertilizer demands to that of its neighbours for bulk
importations by the private sector to reduce cost.

5.2.3 Fertilizer importers and exporters shall operate under the legal and regulatory
framework established by the Ghana Government.

5.2.4 Fertilizer types and formulations to be imported by prospective importers must conform
with fertility status of the soil and crop nutrient requirements; to the existing laws and
supporting regulations for different crops in the agro ecological zones of the country.

5.2.5 For monitoring purposes, importers shall inform the Plant Protection and Regulatory
Services Directorate (PPRSD) on their importation plan on a yearly basis. The
Government shall guarantee the confidentiality of such data and information.

5.2.6 For monitoring purposes, importers shall inform the PPRSD of their shipment manifest
including the expected date of cargo arrival, to enable PPRSD officials to arrange for
necessary inspection and quality assurances verification. The Government shall
guarantee the confidentiality of such data and information.

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 5.2.7 Each shipment of Fertilizer must be accompanied with Clean Report of Inspection
(CRI), manufacturer’s certificate, bill of lading, invoice and manifest, authenticated by
pre-shipment inspection agent.

5.3 Marketing within Ghana

5.3.1 The private sector shall spear-head the marketing of Fertilizer in Ghana as the main
actor.

5.3.2 During emergencies or special programmes to reach farmers in remote areas not serviced
by the private sector and those who cannot afford Fertilizer, Government will however
introduce some interventions executed through transparent, non-distorting market-
friendly mechanisms.

5.3.4 Wholesalers and retailers involved in Fertilizer marketing must operate under the legal
and regulatory framework established by the Government of Ghana.

5.3.5 The Government shall ensure that the risk associated with the provision of and access to
funds for investment in Fertilizer marketing is reduced working in tandem with the
financing institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

5.3.6 The Government shall facilitate the gathering and widespread dissemination of timely,
appropriate and reliable data and information on the national, regional and international
Fertilizer market in collaboration with the private sector.

5.3.7 Market forces shall determine Fertilizer prices at all times. Targeted subsidies shall be
introduced in ways that will not distort the competitive fertilizer market.

5.4 Environmental Sustainability

The Government shall take the lead in ensuring environmental safety and sustainability in
Fertilizer use by enforcing that:

5.4.1 Fertilizer manufacturers/blenders properly dispose of the waste products (e.g. solid
wastes, effluents and fumes) emanating from its production plants in accordance with laid
down procedures and do not pollute the environment.
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 5.4.2 Farmers do indulge excessive use of Fertilizer in order to prevent pollution of air,
water and farm produce or soil degradation through effective extension advices.
5.4.3 Relevant Research and Development (R&D) institutions regularly update site-
specific and crop-specific Fertilizer recommendations to ensure judicious use of
Fertilizer
5.4.4 Marketers and transporters of Fertilizers take necessary measures that ensure that
the environment (air, water and soil) is conserved and protected.
5.4.5 Bio fertilizers and organic fertilizers are used when appropriate.

5.5 Research and Development

Research and Development (R & D) of Fertilizer products and technologies within the
country are the primary responsibilities of various Government Institutions. These are to
be done in collaboration with producers and importers of Fertilizers within the context of
public private partnership. The following are recommended:

5.5.1 Recognized R&D Institutions are to regularly evaluate Fertilizer management practices
and soil fertility status and develop an efficient Fertilizer recommendation system for the
country.

5.5.2 Any company wishing to introduce new Fertilizer product shall channel the product
through PPRSD who shall ensure that the product undergoes laboratory testing and field
evaluation under Ghanaian conditions. The results of the laboratory analysis and field
trials should be ratified by PPRSD prior to marketing of such products. The cost of the
laboratory testing and field trial as well as other relevant public information costs shall be
borne by the company.

5.6 Quality Control

The Government is responsible of ensuring that good quality Fertilizer products are on the
market by:

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 5.6.1 Establishing and enforcing of a market-friendly legal and regulatory framework that is
adopted, legislated and implemented by the Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulatory Division
and other appropriate authorities.

5.6.2 Compelling the private sector to monitor the quality of its products to ensure that they
conform to the provisions of the existing legal and regulatory frameworks.

5.6.3 The legal and regulatory framework for Fertilizer quality control shall provide for the
following:

i. Fertilizer inspectors undertake periodic quality control at the Fertilizer production/

blending plants, port of discharge, warehouses and other selling outlets;

ii. Fertilizer samples are drawn by inspectors for analysis in a designated and government
approved laboratory or laboratories;

iii. Imposition of penalties on violators of the relevant aspects of the framework; such
violations include, but are not limited to, plant nutrient deficiencies, misbranding,
adulteration, short weight, bagging quality, failure to report tonnage and pay inspection
fees, and/or operating without a certificate of registration or with an expired certificate of
registration;

iv. Guidelines for proper labeling;

v. Payment of inspection fees;

vi. Requirements for Fertilizer products to be free from harmful substances and for
environmental safety;

vii. Its financing mechanism as well as institutional arrangements for its implementation
and enforcement.

5.7 Fertilizer Use (Education, Extension Services and Security)

5.7.1 Education on fertilizer use shall be an integral part of the agricultural education
curricula at all levels.
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 5.7.2 Extension services shall be ensured by the Government through the Directorate of
Agricultural Extension Services (DAES), while the private sector extension services shall
support their efforts to ensure a nationwide coverage.

5.7.3 Research Institutions, Directorate of Crop Services (DCS) and other Development
Institutions shall collaborate to come out periodically with recommended Fertilizer
application rates for farmers in different agro-ecological zones.

5.7.4 The recommended Fertilizer application rates shall be shared with Fertilizer
manufacturers and blenders to produce appropriate grades and packages of Fertilizer
products.

5.7.5 Complementary use of inorganic, organic and biological Fertilizers shall be

encouraged through the development of Integrated Soil Fertility Management systems
tailored to the agricultural production systems in the country.

5.7.6 Studies into the development and sustenance of the fertilizer market shall be
commissioned and conducted regularly. The results are to be shared among stakeholders
to ensure a competitive fertilizer market.

5.7.7 The purchase and the use of Fertilizer products shall be regulated to ensure the use
of the Fertilizer for its intended purpose. Measures should be taken to prevent the misuse
of Fertilizer in the manufacture of explosives.

5.8 Governance and Institutional Roles

It shall be the responsibility of government to promote the proper use of Fertilizer in the
country and to facilitate adequate availability and affordability to farmers. Therefore the
government shall operate through the following institutional structures, each assigned
specific roles:

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5.8.1. Government shall establish a Plants and Fertilizer Fund to support regulation of
plants and plant products, seed and fertilizer.

5.8.2 The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has the overall responsibility for
formulating, re-formulating and implementing the national policy on Fertilizer in Ghana
for which purpose the National Fertilizer Council with the Honourable Minister as the
Chairman, shall be statutorily responsible.

5.8.3 The Directorates of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under the directives of the
Honourable Minister shall undertake all activities stipulated above in collaboration with
relevant organizations constituting the NARES. The Plant Protection and Regulatory
Service Directorate (PPRSD) shall be responsible for the regulation and quality control of
Fertilizer. The Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES) shall be
responsible for technical advisory services and fertilizer technologies. The Directorate of
Crop Services shall be responsible for the conduct of adaptive fertilizer trials leading to
improved agronomic practices, efficient use and management of soil and water resources.
The Policy, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Directorate shall be responsible for the
reformulation and analysis of this policy and assess the impact of programmes emanating
from it.

5.8.4 The NARES shall be mandated and financed to carry out Fertilizer research as well
as periodic site-specific and crop-specific Fertilizer application recommendations for
benchmark soils in all agro-ecological zones of the country. The NARES shall also be
responsible for fertilizer market studies to inform the promotion of a competitive
Fertilizer market.

5.8.5 A National Fertilizer Advisory Committee shall be responsible for providing

technical advisory services on all aspects of the Fertilizer economy to the Honourable
Minister through the National Fertilizer Council.

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6.0 Monitoring and Evaluation
The Government shall develop an action plan to meet the objectives of the Fertilizer Policy
document, assign roles and responsibilities and provide the resources to implement the
activities in the plan.

6.1 Government shall commission internal and external monitoring of activities assigned to
all organs and institutions in the Fertilizer subsector, in order to be able to make
necessary changes to the implementation work plan towards the achievement of the
objectives of the Fertilizer policy.

6.2 Government shall undertake evaluation and impact assessments of the Fertilizer policy at
appropriate times, in order to ensure that the Fertilizer policy makes the desired impact in
agricultural development of the country and meets its goal.

6.3 Government shall where necessary ensure that all Fertilizer stakeholders are involved in
the monitoring and evaluation process.

6.4 Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the Fertilizer policy shall be
technically conducted following the required legal and moral process.

7.0 Policy Review

7.1 The policy shall be reviewed at least once in five years to capture changes in the socio-
economic and natural environment relating to Fertilizer.

7.2 If necessary, the Government shall undertake review of the Fertilizer policy following
the review of the national policy on agriculture.

7.3 Upon the formulation or reformulation of the Fertilizer policy as recommended above,
such reviews shall be accompanied by a new implementation action plans.

7.4 The Government shall ensure that a wide range of relevant stakeholders are involved
in the policy review and evaluation process.

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7.5 The review of the policy shall be technically conducted following the required legal
and moral processes.

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