Don’t wait for the floods to recede before going green – Prof Naana Jane

Professor Naana Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana's Vice President, has emphasized that environmental protection and greening should be considered as essential components of national development. She urged Ghanaians not to wait for the floods to subside before addressing environmental issues such as waste management, drainage, and the environment.

Addressing the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show, she stressed that the lessons learned from the recent floods should continue to guide conversations about these critical matters. Prof Naana Jane stressed that greening should be an integral part of development, not something considered after urban expansion. She highlighted the economic potential of gardens and flower cultivation, which encompasses growers, skills, services, markets, and livelihoods.

According to her, this sector could develop into sustainable businesses that create jobs and supply larger markets. To support the horticulture sector, the government offers programs like Feed Ghana, which focus on vegetables and other priority crops. The Vice President also spoke about improving irrigation, providing better inputs, promoting greenhouse production, and expanding market access for horticultural products.

The government's Tree for Life initiative, which involves planting millions of seedlings, aligns with the country's environmental agenda. Prof Naana Jane called for greater collaboration among various stakeholders, including local authorities, developers, businesses, training institutions, and financial institutions, to foster the growth of the green economy.

She emphasized that "green means business" and encouraged efforts to create a greener Ghana while generating businesses and livelihoods.