The Federation of the Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has opened the Ghana Horticultural Expo.
The three-day Horticultural Expo 2024 was launched today in Accra with the theme “Celebrating Ghana’s Horticultural Diversity, Produce Quality, Export More,”
Other partners are the Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
It emphasises collaboration between exporters and critical institutions such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Fidelity Bank and the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL).
Addressing the participant, the President of the Federation of the Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) Mr. Davies Korboe, said FAGE was committed to enhancing Ghana’s position in the global horticultural market and creating sustainable growth for farmers and exporters.
He added that the launch of the Ghana Horticultural Expo 2024 would help celebrate and promote the diversity and quality of horticultural products in Ghana.
He said the horticulture sector in Ghana is not merely about crops; it’s about livelihoods, economic growth, and sustainable development that contribute substantially to the economy through agricultural expansion.
He indicated that the government’s main objectives in the horticultural sector were to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of crops through enhanced access to improved technological packages for increased productivity and to ensure sustainable management of the environment.
The Country Director of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mr. Andrew Karas, said USAID provided over $140 million in bilateral development support to Ghana.
This funding covered various areas, including agriculture, economic growth, health, education, governance, and more.
“We recognise the immense potential of Ghana’s horticulture sector and are committed to its growth and sustainability. By funding this event through the Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity, we aim to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, increase private sector involvement in food security initiatives and empower enterprises to position themselves as engines of growth in Ghana’s economic transformation agenda,” he added.
He stated that horticulture plays a crucial role in Ghana’s agricultural landscape. The industry has grown remarkably over the years and helped to diversify the agricultural sector. It has become a vital contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), creating numerous job opportunities, especially in rural areas, thereby reducing poverty and improving living standards.
Grace Acheampong, ISD