MOFA

Plant Protection & Regulatory Services

The PPRSD was established in 1965 by an Act of Parliament: Prevention and Control of Pests and Diseases OF Plants Act, 307 now replaced by “Plants and Fertilizer Act, 2010 (Act 803). The PPRSD is the National Institution with the mandate and capacity to organize, regulate, implement and coordinate the plant protection services needed for the country in support of sustainable growth and development of Agriculture. The national plant protection policy is Integrated Pest Management, IPM (1992).

VISION

To render efficient, environmentally safe and economically sustainable plant protection and regulatory services that will be meeting the requirements of the clientele and thus contributing to increased food and raw material production.

MISSION

To provide services in order to safeguard quality and plants of crop from losses by pests and diseases.

GOAL

To contribute to sustainable reduction of crop losses caused by pests and diseases, currently estimated at 30-50%, to about 10-15%, with substantially reduced use of hazardous chemicals.

The Directorate is structured into four Divisions:

Crop Pests and Disease Management
Seed Inspection and Certification
Pesticides and Fertilizer Regulatory
Plant Quarantine

The Directorate offers Public Services to: Extensionists, Farmers, Importers/Exporters of Agricultural goods, Pesticide Dealers and Applicators, Seed Producers and Dealers, Fertilizer Dealers, Consuming Public and coordinates compliance with obligations in Multilateral Plant Protection Agreements.

Crop Pests Disease Management Division

The Division derives its mandate from Part I of the “Plants and Fertilizer Act” Act 803 ( 2010)

The Crop Pests & Disease ManagementDivision develops Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), guidelines for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of food crops.

The division carries out training and provides comprehensive diagnostic and identification services of plant pests and diseases for stakeholders, monitors the pest situation in the country, ensures effective control of plant pests, manages calamity pest outbreaks (e.g. armyworms, grasshoppers etc), and carries out classical bio-control measures (mass rearing and release of bio-agents), and serves as secretariat for National Fruit Fly Management Committee and National IPM programme.

Services provided:

Extension (GO and NGOs): Training of Trainers in IPM, technical backstopping on crop pests and disease identification and integrated control strategies.
Farmers: Technical backstopping on pests and disease identification (diagnosis) and integrated control strategies, support in Global GAP certification (training, pre- audit)
Exporters of agricultural produce: Technical backstopping on identification of crop pests, training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and carries out diagnostic services.
IGOs: Pests and Disease situation statistics
Ghana Seed Inspection and Certification Division (GSID)

(Part II of Plants and Fertiliser Act, 2010) (Act 803)

The Division supports the production of quality seeds and planting materials. This is achieved through; field inspection, training of major stakeholders, laboratory analysis on seed samples, monitoring quality of seed and seed certification.

Services provided

Seed growers:

Registration of Seed Growers
Monitoring of seed and planting material production of crop species
Certification of Foundation and Certified Seeds and also Primary and Secondary planting materials.
Training of major stakeholders (Seed Inspectors, Registered Seed Growers, Seed Dealers, Extension Staff of MOFA and NGO’s etc)
Facilitation of promotional activities in the seed industry.

Seed dealers:

Registration of Seed Dealers
Monitoring of Seed Dealers’ outlets

Seed importers and exporters

Registration of importers
Monitoring of importers’ outlets
Registration of exporters
Monitoring of exporters’ outlets

Farmers

Education and awareness creation on the benefits of utilization of certified seed/planting materials

Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulatory Division

The Division derives its mandate from the following Acts: Part III of Plants and Fertilizer Act 803 (2010) and Part II of Environmental Protection Agency Act 490 (1994)

The Division supervises and trains Regulatory Inspectors, publishes information materials, registers and trains pesticides and fertilizer dealers and applicators, keeps records as well as statistics of pesticides and fertilizers and manages pesticide and fertilizer stocks in the country. It supervises bio-efficacy trials carried out by research.

Services provided

Pesticide and Fertilizer dealers: Registration, inspection, training on pesticides and fertilizer management, facilitation of removal of obsolete and unwanted chemicals.
Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicators: Registration, inspection, training on Pesticide and Fertilizer Management.
Extension: training and technical backstopping on pesticides and fertilizer management. • Exporters: Training of trainers in pesticide and fertilizer management for export certification.

Importers: Sample, inspect, analyze and test fertilizers distributed in the country and prepare appropriate manuals and reports of these.
IGOs : Provides pesticides and fertilizer consumption statistics.

Plant Quarantine Division

The mandate of the division is found in “Part I of Plants and Fertilizer Act.” 2010 (Act 803)

The Division works closely with the customs authorities (CEPS) at all the official entry points. It supervises and trains Phytosanitory Inspectors, develops and publishes information material, keeps records of plant imports and exports, the importers and exporters, as well as the pests and diseases of quarantine importance. It issues phytosanitary certificates and import permits. It also operates the SPS Enquiry Point. The Division also carries out inspection on marketing quality standards on fresh fruits and vegetables for export. Implementation of relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) are implemented by the Division.

Services provided

Exporters of agricultural produce: Inspection, certification (Phytosanitary and marketing quality compliance), treatment (confiscation and destruction), information on export requirements and training on export requirements.

Importers of agricultural produce: Inspection, certification (import permits), release, (confiscation and destruction, return to country of origin), information on import requirements; post-entry quarantine, training on import requirements.

Provides information on IPPC and WTO on SPS Agreements through the National Enquiry Point (NEP)

SERVICE STANDARDS

No.	Services	Time Frame	Processes and Procedures	Requirements from Clients
1.	Process application for permit to import Seed.	Seven (7) days	Receive application from Client through the Minister. Application forwarded to Director-PPRSD for advice. Director-PPRSD forward application to Head-GSID for the necessary action to be taken Head-GSID conducts PRA of the commodity Permit is issued accordingly based on PRA advise or otherwise. Decision is communicated to Client	Business Registration Certificates (Certificate of incorporation and commencement of Business) Form A or C from Registrar General Department detailing nature of business or principal activities
2.	Registration of Seed Dealers	Fourteen (14) days	Receive application for registration Complete Registration Form Inspect proposed facility Pay approved fees. Communicate decision	Original and Photocopy of Business Registration Certificate (Certificate to commencement and incorporation of business).
3	Registration of Certified Seed Producers	Fourteen (14) days	Receive application from client Complete Seed Producer’s registration form Inspection of production site(s) inspected by PPRSD and produced report. Approved fees paid at the Accounts Unit of PPRSD. Client issued with a Seed Producer’s Certificate.	Original and Photocopy of Business Registration Certificate (Certificate to commence business from Registrar General’s Department). Area or Site plan or lease agreement Sample of the crop variety.
4	Renewal of Registration of Seed Producers and Seed Dealers	Five (5) days	Receive application for Certificate Renewal from client Application reviewe Decision communicated to client	Business Registration documents (including form A or C) Previous registration certificate
5	Certification of seed producers’ fields	Seven (7) day	Receive request for field inspection Review of application Carry out field inspection Communicate decision	Seed Producer Certificate from GSI Evidence of source of Breeder/foundation seed(s)
6	Laboratory analysis of seeds (viability, moisture, purity, seed health)	Twenty-one (21) days	Application for analysis to the Director-PPRSD Fill a standard form Payment of approved fees Samplers pick samples. Sampled seeds analysed and report produced. Certificate issued after testing.	Relevant details of the applicant Seed sample
7	Certifying seed (Issuance of seed certification tag)	Seven (7) days	Receive application for seed certification through Director-PPRSD Samplers pick samples. Sampled seeds submitted to the NSTL or Regional Laboratory for testing. Outcome communicated to applicants Successful applicants requested to apply for packaging materials and tags from PPRSD. Pay approved fees for the tags and the package materials base on request.	Relevant details of the applicant Seed sample
8	Processing of Application for Tax Exemption (Crops related only)	Seven (7) days	Receive application for Tax Exemption through the Minister. Application forwarded to Director-PPRSD for advice. Director - PPRSD advises accordingly Decision communicated to client	Application letter Import permit Bill of lading Invoice Packing list Tax clearance certificate
9	Registration of Nursery Operators	Seven (7) days	Receive application from client The applicant shall fill a Nursery Operators’ Registration Form. Proposed production site(s) inspected by seed inspectors. Approved fees paid at the Accounts Unit of PPRS Client issued with a Nursery Operator’s Certificate (renewable every year).	Business registration certificate from Registrar General’s Department
10	Registration of Fertilizer Companies and Product(s)	Sixty (60) Days (For products undergoing only laboratory analysis) & Four (4) months (for products undergoing field trials)	Receive application from client Review of Application Laboratory analysis of fertilizer product(s) Bio- efficacy trial on fertilizer product(s) Monitor bio-efficacy trial Submit bio-efficacy trial report Review of bio-efficacy trial report Inspect warehousing or production facility Issuance of company and product certificate	Business Registration Certificate (Certificate of Commencement and Incorporation from RGD). Form A or C from RGD Fertilizer sample(s) Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of fertilizer product(s) Certificate of Analysis Product Label Facility Inspection report
11	Registration of Fertilizer Retailers and Distributors	Thirty (30) days	Receive application for registration at the nearest PPRSD office from client Review company registration documents Inspect retail or distributor outlet(s) Produce facility inspection report Fill Retailer or Distributor Form Approved fees paid at the Account Unit of PPRSD Issuance of retailer or distributor license	Business Registration Certificate (Certificate to Commence Business and Incorporation from RGD). Form A or C from RGD Two (2) passport size pictures GPS location and land mark of retailers or distributor shop
12	Issuance of Fertilizer Import Permit	Five (5) days	Receive application from client Review application for decision making Approved fees paid at the Account Unit of PPRSD Communicate decision to client.	Copy of application letter Copy of Fertilizer company and product registration certificates
13	Issuance of Fertilizer Export Permit	Fourteen (14) days	Receive application for Export Permit from client Review application documentations and make recommendation to the Sector Minister Approval by Hon. Minister Approved fees paid at the Account Unit of PPRSD. Issue export permit to client	Application letter Copy of previous Import permits, Evidence of Payment of import duty at Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
14.	Issuance of Pesticides and Fertilizer Tax Waivers	Five (5) days	Receive application from client Review application documentations and make recommendation to the Sector Minister Decision communicated to client Approved fees paid at the Account Unit of PPRSD.	Waiver Application Letter Bill of lading, Packing List, Consignment Invoice, GRA Tax Clearance and EPA Chemical clearance
15	ICUMS fertilizer electronic permit clearance	One (1) day after all relevant documents have been submitted	Receive application notification from ICUMS Application is verified and validated Approved fees paid at the Account Unit of PPRSD Decision is communicated in the system	Import permit Bill of lading Packing List Consignment Invoice Certificate of Analysis (COA)
16.	Certification of agricultural spray equipment	Five (5) days	Receive application for evaluation of spraying equipment Sample equipment Evaluate equipment Pay approved fee Communicate decision	Equipment Manual Sample product
17.	Registration of exporters of plant and plant products and regulated articles	Ten (10) days	Receive application from client Check validity of supporting documents Pay approved fees Issue Certificate to client	Business Registration Certificate (Certificate of Commencement and Incorporation from RGD). Form A or C from RGD GEPA certificate Evidence of membership of relevant Association GIPC Certificate (for expatriates)
18	Registration of importers of plant and plant products and regulated articles	Five (5) days	Receive application from Client through the Director (PPRSD) Check validity of supporting documents Payment of approved fee Issuance of certificate	Business Registration Certificate (Certificate of Commencement and Incorporation from RGD) Form A or C from RGD
19	Inspection of plant and plant products and other regulated articles at all approved entry points in Ghana	Five (5) days	Declaration of consignments with accompanying documents Verification of documents Inspection and sampling of consignment Payment of approved fees Issuance of phytosanitary certificate /report on phytosanitary inspection.	way bills packing list Instruction for Dispatch of Goods (IDG) for Airport Bill of lading for sea port. Phytosanitary Certificate (imports) Permit from country of origin
20	Certification of plant and plant products for export and domestic market	Minimum of three (3) times within a cropping season.	Receive application for inspection Schedule inspection date Conduct Field Inspected and Sampling Laboratory analysis Decision communicated to client Pay approved fees	Location details Traceability code Farm records
21	Pack house inspection and certification	Five (5) days	Receive application from client Review application Conduct Pack house inspectio Decision communicated to client	Client registered as an exporter by PPRSD
22.	Issuance of phytosanitary certificates	One (1) day	Receive request Receive farm certification document (Lab results and letter) where applicable File export declaration form Inspect consignment Payment of approved fee Issue inspection report	Certificate of export registration Treatment certificate Letter of approval from PPRSD where applicable way bill(s), packing list and IDG for Airport and bill of lading for sea port. Consignment traceability codes
23.	Issuance of Pest Risk Analysis report	Five (5) days for Desktop PR Four (4) months to Two (2) years for full PRA for some crops.	Receive request conduct Pest Risk Assessment Communicate Pest Management decision Pay approved fees	Request letter Pro forma invoice from country of origin
24	Issuance of import permit for plants, plant products and other regulated articles.	Ten (10) days	Receive request. conducts PRA on the commodity Communicate decision	Importer certificate pro-forma invoice For other regulated articles for example soil and Biological Control Agents require special import permit.
25	Certification and issuance of stamp ISPM NO. 15 operators (wood packaging operators)	One (1) day	Receive application for registration as ISPM NO 15 operators. Review application Inspection of ISPM No. 15 facility Decision communicated to client	Original and photocopy of current registration certificate from Registrar General’s Department
26.	Issuance of conveyance inspection report	Five (5) days	Receive conveyance document from client. Review document conduct inspection of conveyance Communicate findings	Conveyance documents
27.	Technical Advisory Services Integrated Pest Management strategies for crop pests. Farmer field fora Plant clinic session	Three (3) days	Receive Request Analyze reques Communicate feedback to client	Information on clien Detailed information on affected crops
		Seven (7) days	Identify farmer group(s) Identify crop production gap Compose Team for management Identify/select demonstration field(s) Carry out fora
		Seven (7) days	Identify community and entry Mobilise logistics and training materials Sensitise farmers on plant clinic session Select places and days for meeting Carry out Plant clinic session
28.	Management of calamity pests outbreaks	Ten (10) days	Receive request from client Follow up / Field visit Identification and diagnosis of pest Organise logistics for case management Implement strategies.	Information on client / Client’s details Detailed information on affected crop Pictures of samples/ destruction caused.
29	Laboratory Diagnosis of infected and infested plant materials	Fourteen (14) days	Received request from client Follow up / Field visit Collect sample(s) to entomology/pathology laboratory Incubate/culture samples Provide diagnostic report and recommendations	Information on client / client’s details Detailed information on affected crops Pictures of samples/ destruction caused.
30.	Biological control of plant pests	Sixty (60) days	Receive complaint on pest incidence Conduct baseline survey Import bio-agents if not available locally. Recondition, culture and mass rear bio-agents Map potential release locations Release bio-agents Monitor establishment and spread Augment bio-agent’s releases if applicable	Information on client Detailed information on affected crops

For further information contact;

Plant Protection and Regulatory

Services Division

P. O. Box M37

Pokuase-Accra

Tel: 0303977526

Digital Address: GW 00495123

E-mail: pprsdghana@gmail.com

Physical Location: Mayera Road, Opposite Community Football Field, Pokuase

Post Details

Plant Protection & Regulatory Services

VISION

MISSION

GOAL

Crop Pests Disease Management Division

Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulatory Division

Plant Quarantine Division

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