Horticulture sector key to job creation and export expansion – Gov’t
Government has identified Ghana’s horticulture sector as a key driver of job creation, value addition and export growth as it seeks to strengthen the country’s agribusiness value chain.
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said the government is working to connect farming, industry and markets to ensure that more value is retained locally and Ghanaian products become competitive on regional and international markets.
She said the approach forms part of efforts to build a productive economy that produces more, creates meaningful jobs and expands Ghana’s presence in global markets.
The Minister made the remarks on Thursday, September 3, when she represented President John Dramani Mahama at the opening of the 3rd Ghana International Horticulture Expo.
She said the government’s decision to bring trade, agribusiness and industry under one ministry was deliberate and aimed at addressing gaps between production, processing and markets.
“Government’s decision to realign the Ministry of Trade and Industry to include agribusiness was not a matter of administrative convenience. It was a deliberate strategy made in recognition that old boundaries between the farm, the factory, and the market could no longer serve Ghana’s ambition,” she said.
According to the Minister, the government has established a dedicated Agribusiness Directorate and Cabinet has approved the National Agribusiness Policy to treat agriculture, processing and trade as an integrated agenda.
She said the policy focuses on key areas including raw material supply, financing, value addition and market access.
She also highlighted the Feed the Industry Programme, which seeks to increase local production to meet the raw material requirements of industries.
She called for the active participation of the private sector and other stakeholders in the implementation process, particularly in creating opportunities for young people, women and smallholder farmers.
The Minister also stressed the importance of food safety, plant health, traceability, certification, packaging and quality standards if Ghanaian horticultural products are to compete effectively in international markets.
She said the Ministry is working with institutions including the Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and Tree Crop Development Authority to improve certification, testing and inspection services.
The 3rd Ghana International Horticulture Expo, organised by the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), and other partners, was held under the theme “From soil to sovereignty: Building Ghana’s agricultural self-reliance.”