14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show opens, spotlights green business potential

The 14th edition of the Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS) has commenced in Accra, celebrating horticulture, floriculture, environmental sustainability and green enterprise. The Vice President of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, emphasized the economic potential of Ghana's horticultural sector, pointing out that gardens and flowers represent more than beauty, as they foster businesses, employment, skills, and livelihoods.

She called for bolstering the entire horticultural value chain, from production to transportation, storage, quality, finance, and market access, given the perishable nature of many horticultural products. The Vice President also advocated for integrating greening into development planning and recognizing the role of trees, gardens, and green spaces in fostering healthier, resilient communities.

Organized by the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement (GGFM), the Show, with the theme “Green Means Business, Beauty and More,” aims to highlight the economic, environmental, and social opportunities that horticulture and the green economy present for Ghana. The event convenes policymakers, business leaders, practitioners, advocates, entrepreneurs, educators, enthusiasts, and the public to explore these opportunities.

Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Mr. Augustus Goosie Obuadum Tanoh, highlighted the necessity of building systems, infrastructure, and market linkages to establish a competitive and sustainable horticulture industry. He cited the Netherlands and Kenya as examples of successful horticulture industries and discussed initiatives under the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, such as the development of a cut-flower corridor linking production to markets in Ghana and beyond.

Madam Esther A. N. Cobbah, CEO of Stratcomm Africa and Convener of GGFM, stressed Ghana's natural resources, such as soil, sunshine, water, and plants, which can create businesses and employment opportunities. She emphasized the importance of protecting and nurturing the environment to support these opportunities, noting that gardens, trees, and green spaces contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities while providing various benefits.

The GGFS offers visitors a glimpse into the business, creative, and practical possibilities within Ghana's horticulture and floriculture sectors, featuring exhibitions, floral displays, a Music and Drama Night, masterclasses, a fashion show, stakeholder dialogues, educational activities, and a Horticulture Roundtable and Green to Riches Conference.

Visitors can also explore an eco-friendly model home sponsored by HGD, showcasing practical sustainable living approaches.