Horticulture can create jobs, businesses and export opportunities for Ghana – Prof Naana Jane

Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged for increased investment in Ghana's horticulture sector, emphasizing its potential to generate employment, foster businesses, and create new export possibilities for the nation. She stressed that horticulture is more than just the aesthetic appeal of gardens and flowers, but encompasses a range of economic activities that support the industry.

"Beyond the visual appeal are growers, skills, services, markets, and livelihoods," she stated during her opening remarks for the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show in Accra. The vice president highlighted the potential for horticultural businesses to evolve into sustainable enterprises, capable of providing jobs, expanding market reach, and competing internationally.

"The opportunity lies in helping more of these enterprises develop into sustainable businesses that can employ others, supply larger markets, and, where possible, compete beyond Ghana," she added. Prof Naana Jane drew parallels with Kenya, asserting that Ghana has the capacity to match or surpass such accomplishments. "We can do the same, if not more," she affirmed.

However, she stressed the importance of addressing the entire value chain of horticulture, given the perishable nature of many of its products. She called for improved transportation, storage facilities, quality standards, financial support, and market access to prevent losses in value. Under the Feed Ghana Programme, vegetables are identified as priority crops, with prospects for expansion through irrigation, improved inputs, greenhouse cultivation, and enhanced market access.

She also discussed the creation of farmer service centers across the country, designed to offer producers assistance with export, inputs, machinery, and market connections. Prof Naana Jane noted that horticulture offers opportunities for young individuals by integrating agriculture, technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. "It's not just about encouraging more people to grow more, but about helping them see the businesses they can build around their produce," she explained.

She further linked horticulture development to Ghana's environmental goals, including the Tree for Life initiative and initiatives to enhance green spaces in urban areas. "Greening should not be a post-development consideration; it should be integral to development itself," she argued. She encouraged local authorities, developers, and businesses to foster demand for green spaces while ensuring that Ghanaian producers are prepared to meet market needs and seize export opportunities.

"Green means business," she urged, calling for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to make Ghana greener while fostering businesses and livelihoods. She also appealed to training institutions, financial institutions, the private sector, and industry groups to contribute to the sector's development. "Training institutions must develop the necessary skills.

Financial institutions should support viable enterprises. The private sector can develop markets, and movements like this one can continue to unite the industry and highlight its potential," she concluded.