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Ghana Imposes Hemp Seed and Straw Storage and Processing Standards

Ghana has established comprehensive storage and handling standards for hemp seed and hemp straw to ensure quality and safety during primary production and decortication processes.

GHANA – HEMP

Ghana Sets Storage and Processing Standards for Hemp

New rules require strict handling of seed and straw to prevent spoilage.

What changed

Storage specifications mandatory for whole hemp seed at primary facilities to prevent spoilage.

On-site management targets set for hemp straw intended for decortication to ensure quality.

Environmental and health safety must be prioritized during primary production and processing.

Standardized documentation using ICS codes 01 and 13 is now required.

Who it affects

Hemp farmers and primary producers must store whole hemp seed according to new specifications.

Decortication facilities must implement on-site management practices for hemp straw.

Ghana — hemp seed and straw storage standards

Compliance Answer: Storage and Handling Standards for Hemp Seed and Hemp Straw in Ghana

Ghana has established detailed storage and handling standards for hemp seed and hemp straw under DGS 1410:2026 (whole hemp seed storage) and DGS 1411:2026 (hemp straw for decortication). These standards aim to prevent spoilage, ensure quality, and maintain safety during primary production and processing.

Regulation Analysis

1. Hemp Seed Storage (DGS 1410:2026)

This standard applies to outdoor broad-acre production of hemp seed intended for human or animal use1. It excludes indoor-grown hemp or seed not intended for food.

Key Requirements:

  • Moisture Management:
    • Target moisture content for storage: 5% to 10% (measured by grain moisture meter)1.
    • Aeration drying (fan-only) requires 28.32 L/min (1 cfm per bushel) airflow1.
    • Supplemental heat drying (fan + heat) requires 42.84–56.63 L/min (1.5–2 cfm per bushel) airflow1.
    • Heated drying temperature must not exceed 35°C to avoid seed damage1.
    • Seed must be dried within 5 hours of harvest to prevent spoilage1.
  • Storage Conditions:
    • Monitor bins weekly for moisture, mold, crusting, heating, or water pooling1.
    • Restart aeration or transfer seed if spoilage risks (e.g., hotspots) are detected1.
    • Safe storage temperature: below 15°C (ambient conditions may require supplemental heat)1.
  • Sampling and Testing:
    • Use calibrated grain moisture meters per manufacturer instructions1.
    • Record test details (location, date, sample weight, results, operator, meter type)1.
    • Clean seed to remove dockage (weed seeds, foreign material) to ensure uniform drying1.
  • Handling:
    • Prefer conveyors over augers to avoid seed cracking (if augers are used, run at slow speeds with full capacity)1.
    • Over-drying may occur; rotate seed between bins to even moisture distribution1.

2. Hemp Straw Storage (DGS 1411:2026)

This standard applies to hemp straw intended for decortication and focuses on moisture, weed content, and retting management2.

Key Requirements:

  • Pre-Baling Assessment:
    • Moisture content:
    • 8%–12%: Ideal for baling2.
    • >16%: Rake or delay baling to avoid spoilage; may result in buyer refusal2.
    • <8%: May affect bale quality (consult buyer)2.
    • Weed/foreign material: Must be <5% (higher levels may prevent export)2.
    • Stalk size: Buyer-dependent; measure diameter (1/3 stalk height) and length (5–8 samples)2.
  • Storage Practices:
    • Store bales indoors or under sloped tarps (outdoor) to prevent water pooling2.
    • Place bales on higher ground with road access; space round bales ≥6 inches apart for drying2.
    • Monitor bales weekly for moisture, mold (white/brown/grey), or heating2.
  • Retting:
    • Field retting: Leave stalks on the ground for 2–3 weeks (turn if uniform fiber quality is needed)2.
    • Color indicators:
    • Low retting: Minimal color change (acceptable for hempcrete)2.
    • Medium: Pale yellow (no green)2.
    • High: Grey/dark grey (over-retted; may compromise fiber quality)2.
    • Non-retted straw: Acceptable for hempcrete but may lose color due to weather2.
  • Documentation:
    • Record hemp variety, seeding/harvest dates, bale type, retting status, weed content, stalk dimensions, and field location2.
    • Consult buyers for contract-specific requirements (e.g., retted vs. non-retted straw)2.

Summary Table of Key Requirements

RegulationKey RequirementThreshold/DeadlineAuthority
DGS 1410:2026 (Seed)Target moisture content for storage: 5%–10%1.≤10% moistureHemp farmers/processors
Aeration airflow: 28.32–56.63 L/min1.1–2 cfm per bushel
Drying must begin within 5 hours of harvest1.5-hour post-harvest window
Monitor bins weekly for spoilage1.Weekly checks
DGS 1411:2026 (Straw)Baling moisture content: 8%–12%2.8%–12% moistureHemp farmers/decorticators
Weed/foreign material: <5%2.<5% by weight
Store bales indoors or under tarps2.Sloped tarps; no water pooling
Monitor bales weekly for mold/heating2.Weekly checks

Summary Answer

Ghana’s DGS 1410:2026 and DGS 1411:2026 set strict standards for hemp seed and straw storage to prevent spoilage. For hemp seed, moisture must be maintained at 5%–10%, with aeration drying (28.32–56.63 L/min airflow) and weekly monitoring for mold or heating1. Hemp straw must be baled at 8%–12% moisture, stored indoors or under tarps, and checked weekly for spoilage; weed content must not exceed 5%2. Both standards emphasize buyer consultation for contract-specific requirements and documentation of field/harvest conditions1, 2. Compliance ensures quality, safety, and marketability of hemp products.

Sources

  1. ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02490 — Ghana https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/GHA/26_02490_00_e.pdf
  2. ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02484 — Ghana https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/GHA/26_02484_00_e.pdf
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