Bright Amlalu, a final-year Biological Sciences student, used the long vacation to build professional skills through an internship focused on plant quarantine and pest control.

He spent the period at the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), where he gained hands-on experience working with plants and plant products, as well as exposure to pest management and disease identification.

“We did a lot on plants and plant products. I also learned about pest control, plant diseases and biological control,” Amlalu said.

As part of the training, he participated in inspection activities and interacted with international stakeholders, experiences he said helped broaden his understanding of plant health regulations and professional collaboration.

“During the internship, I had the chance to take part in inspections and also interact with foreigners,” he said.

Amlalu said the experience highlighted the importance of controlling harmful pests that pose risks to agriculture, trade and human health.

“It helps you understand how to handle pests that are very harmful to the country or to humans,” he noted.

He added that knowledge of plant quarantine procedures is critical in preventing the cross-border movement of dangerous pests and ensuring the safe export and import of plant products.

“You learn about pests and the controls needed so they are not transferred to other countries,” he said.

Amlalu described his internship at the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate as both valuable and impactful, noting that it strengthened his practical understanding of plant protection and regulatory work.

Story by Belinda Opoku Danso     Photo: Isaac Kweku Duah