Invest more in horticulture to create jobs, boost exports – Veep
The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for increased investment in Ghana’s horticulture industry to create jobs, expand exports and build sustainable businesses. She said Ghana needed to move beyond simply growing flowers, vegetables and other horticultural products and develop a complete industry around production, processing, logistics and markets. The Vice…
Ghana's Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged greater investment in the country's horticulture industry to create employment, expand exports, and foster sustainable businesses. Speaking at the opening of the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show in Accra, she stressed that Ghana should move beyond merely cultivating flowers and vegetables to establish a comprehensive industry encompassing production, processing, logistics, and markets.
The Vice President highlighted the horticulture sector's potential for generating livelihoods and jobs, stressing that behind the visible growers lay skills, services, markets, and livelihoods. She called for support to help these enterprises evolve into sustainable businesses capable of employing others, accessing larger markets, and competing internationally.
To address the sector's needs, Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the importance of reliable transportation, storage facilities, quality standards, finance, and access to markets, particularly for perishable products. She also mentioned government initiatives like the Feed Ghana Programme, which could provide opportunities for development in areas such as irrigation, improved inputs, greenhouse production, and market access.
The Vice President also announced the establishment of Farmer Service Centres nationwide, which would deliver essential services like inputs, machinery, export support, and market linkages to farmers. Furthermore, she urged young people to capitalize on the horticulture sector's opportunities, as it integrates agriculture, technology, creativity, and enterprise.
Moreover, the Vice President connected horticulture development to broader efforts to improve Ghana's urban environment, explaining that recent floods underscored the importance of maintaining clean and green cities. She stressed that green spaces should be integral to development rather than seen as an afterthought.
During the same event, Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy, advocated for a deliberate approach to building a horticultural sector that encompasses production, processing, logistics, and markets. He highlighted Ghana's successful export of mangoes and encouraged leveraging the country's potential for a flourishing flower industry, noting the current need for imported roses during Valentine's Day.
Strategic Communications Africa Limited, represented by Madam Esther Cobbah, emphasized that the Garden and Flower Show continues to underscore the economic, environmental, and social value of horticulture. She also pointed out that the event is spotlighting eco-friendly housing and other green businesses.
The 14-day Ghana Garden and Flower Show will continue to promote the sector's diverse benefits.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
