KIC partners with FDA to support Food Innovation Start-ups in Ghana

Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) has officially partnered with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana to empower young entrepreneurs in the food innovation space. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between creative food products and regulatory requirements, ensuring that start-ups across the country meet the highest standards of safety and quality.

Under this collaboration, KIC and FDA Ghana will provide guidance, training, and mentorship to help start-ups navigate the FDA certification process more effectively. This support will enable young entrepreneurs to bring their innovative food products to market faster, enhancing their business growth and market competitiveness. Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Benjamin Gyan- Kesse, KIC Executive Director emphasized the importance of this partnership: “by supporting start-ups achieve FDA certification, we are ensuring that their products meet global standards, create access to newmarkets and opportunities while safeguarding the health and safety of consumers. “This partnership will also help to establish mentorship and advisory sessions that align food innovation with regulatory excellence,” he added.

Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, CEO of the FDA, emphasized the Authority’s dedication to supporting MSMEs in achieving product compliance to enhance food safety.

“As regulators with a difference, the FDA is not only focused on enforcement but also on empowering MSMEs to meet compliance standards and bring their products to market with ease.

This commitment is embodied in our Progressive Licensing Scheme,” she stated. She further highlighted the role of the Industrial Support Directorate, a specialized directorate within the FDA, which provides targeted assistance to regulated industries, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance to navigate regulatory requirements successfully.

This partnership reflects KIC’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth for young agripreneurs. It also highlights FDA Ghana’s dedication to supporting local businesses while maintaining consumer safety and product excellence. Through this joint effort, KIC and FDA Ghana are paving the way for a new era of food innovation in Ghana, where entrepreneurs are empowered to create and scale products that meet global standards.

About KIC: Kosmos Innovation Center(KIC) is a non-profit organization that invests in young entrepreneurs and small businesses. We empower entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into viable, self-sustaining businesses and we work alongside promising small businesses to help them scale and reach their full potential.

About FDA: FDA is a state agency established by Section 80(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) responsible for regulating food, drugs, food supplements, herbal and homeopathic medicines, veterinary medicines, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemical substances, tobacco and tobacco products, and the conduct of clinical trials.