Prioritize traceability in your supply chains, advises CARISCA
Get your thinking caps on, folks! It's high time we talk about supply chain traceability and its crucial role in Africa's agricultural and health sectors. Here's the lowdown on what's going down at the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain-Africa (CARISCA), and why we should all be on board.
John Frimpong Manso, the Senior Technical Advisor for continuing professional and executive education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), ain't mincing words. He's clear as a bell that traceability can significantly boost the quality of goods pouring into our markets.
He spilled the beans during the Supply Chain Action Network (SCAN) event in Accra, where the theme was none other than 'Supply Chain Traceability: Improving Africa's Agriculture and Health Sectors'. So, let's break it down: what exactly is this supply chain traceability we're talking about? Well, it's the process of keeping tabs on where products and their input sourcing originated, and how they make their way from 'point A' to the end-user.
This event serves as a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to shoot the breeze about the challenges and opportunities surrounding supply chain traceability in Africa. The objective? To brainstorm ways to pump up traceability in our agricultural and health sectors, all while fostering cooperation among stakeholders to create a better world for all.
The discussions at the event will focus on ideas like exploring the possibilities of implementing cutting-edge technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence, to improve traceability systems. Collaboration is key here—by joining forces, we can establish a harmonized regulatory framework, share best practices, and develop public-private partnerships to strengthen and bolster investment in traceability infrastructure and capacity.
CARISCA, as you may know, is working hard to revolutionize African supply chains by focusing on research, knowledge translation, and supply chain management training. With the help of these pioneering efforts, African supply chains could be transformed in ways that boost efficiency, drive innovation, and stimulate the economy.
So, why should you care? Well, improved traceability not only guarantees the authenticity of our food and medications but also reduces the risk of fraud, counterfeiting, and foodborne illnesses. Imagine enjoying a delicious cocoa drink, knowing it came from a fair trade, sustainable source and that every step from bean to bar was tracked and verified. Sounds pretty sweet, huh?
It's essential that as a nation, we take traceability seriously. It's about looking at every step from the point of origin to consumption, studying the challenges, and addressing them so that we can enjoy food and medications that meet not only international but also local standards. This is the vision for the future—seamless, secure, and safe supply chains for all.
In short, folks, let's band together, encourage the adoption of innovative technologies, and collaborate with our fellow citizens to create a traceable, transparent, and thriving future for Africa. The time for action is now!
- John Frimpong Manso, a Senior Technical Advisor, emphasizes that supply chain traceability can significantly enhance the quality of goods in African markets.
- At a recent SCAN event in Accra, the topic of discussion was 'Supply Chain Traceability: Improving Africa's Agriculture and Health Sectors'.
- Supply chain traceability refers to the process of tracking where products originate and how they move from their source to the end-user.
- The event serves as a platform for leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss challenges and opportunities, aiming to boost traceability in African agriculture and health sectors.
- Discussions will focus on implementing advanced technologies like blockchain, IoT, and AI to enhance traceability systems, and fostering cooperation among stakeholders for investment in traceability infrastructure and capacity.
- CARISCA, with its focus on research, knowledge translation, and training, is working to revolutionize African supply chains, contributing to efficiency, innovation, and economic growth. Improved traceability guarantees the authenticity of food and medications, reduces risks, and promotes sustainable and fair trade practices.
