Accra, June 3, GNA – Invasive pests are costing Africa an estimated US$7 billion annually, threatening food security, livelihoods and regional trade, Dr Victor Clottey, Regional Director for West Africa at the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), has said.
He said the impact of invasive species extended beyond economic losses, affecting household incomes, education, healthcare and community resilience.
Dr Clottey made the observation at the opening of a three-day Regional Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) Workshop in Accra organised by CABI, the UK-based non-profit inter-governmental organisation, under its PlantwisePlus Programme.
The workshop brought together plant health experts and representatives of National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) from 16 West African countries to strengthen regional capacity to identify, assess and prevent invasive pests.
“People often look at the monetary value, but the effects go much deeper. When pests destroy crops, farmers lose income, families struggle to pay school fees, healthcare becomes difficult to afford and communities become more vulnerable. Many of these losses cannot be quantified,” he said.
Dr Clottey said invasive pests could enter countries through international trade, movement of agricultural products and humanitarian food shipments if appropriate inspections were not conducted.
He explained that insects, fungi and bacteria introduced into new environments often spread rapidly and cause extensive damage to crops.
“A pest may be microscopic or difficult to see, but its impact can be enormous. Once it becomes established, the cost of controlling it is much higher than the cost of preventing it from entering in the first place,” he said.
Dr Clottey noted that agriculture remained the backbone of many West African economies and that pest outbreaks posed risks to food production, export earnings, economic growth and poverty reduction efforts.
He cited Banana Bunchy Top Disease as a major threat to banana production in the sub-region, adding that although Ghana had not recorded any case, regional collaboration was helping countries monitor and contain outbreaks.
“We are looking at the sub-region as one ecosystem because pests do not respect national boundaries. If a dangerous pest is detected in one country, it becomes a concern for all neighbouring countries,” he said.
Mr Eric Bentsil Quaye, Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), described pest risk analysis as a critical component of modern plant protection and biosecurity systems.
He said increased cross-border movement of people, goods and plant materials, coupled with climate change, had heightened the risk of invasive pests spreading into new areas.
“These threats not only endanger food security and farmer livelihoods but also affect economic development, environmental sustainability and regional integration,” he said.
Mr Quaye said effective pest risk analysis enabled countries to make science-based decisions, strengthen surveillance and quarantine systems, and facilitate safe agricultural trade.
Dr Lakpo Koku Agboyi, Senior Scientist in Invasive Species Management, said CABI had developed a digital Pest Risk Analysis tool based on international phytosanitary standards to support countries in assessing risks associated with plant and plant-product imports.
He said the tool would assist authorities to take preventive measures against biological invasions and strengthen national pest management systems.
The workshop forms part of regional initiatives launched since 2023 to enhance pest risk assessment and preparedness across West Africa.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
3 June 2026
Reporter: Albert Oppong-Ansah
Email: [email protected]
Picture attached