The Special Assistant on Export at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Gerald Nyarko Mensah has encouraged agriculturalists and entrepreneurs in the country to take advantage of the huge potential that exist in the horticultural and floricultural sectors.
Speaking at a conference organised as part of the events marking this year’s Ghana Garden and Flower Show in Accra, he said several business opportunities exist in the two sectors across the various supply chainâ€â€from planting materials to shipmentâ€â€and that Ghanaians must leverage its ready market access guaranteed by the Economic Partnership Agreement to make the best out the two sectors.
“There is a business potential in the floricultural and horticultural sectors that are waiting to be tapped. Sister African countries like Kenya and Ethiopia are thriving in the flower business and this is a sign of the viability.
“As a country, we have ready access to the market, which is the European Union, having signed onto the Economic Partnership Agreement. We also have a short access time to EU market due to our location coupled with the availability of a Perishable Cargo Centre which can be of support to this venture.
“I think we have what it takes to make money from the flower business; what is needed is support for those who will take up projects in that field and sector players’ ability to fashion out strategic partnerships to sustain and grow the sector in order to attract investors,†he said.
Mr. Mensah said there is also a local market demand for flowers which should encourage people to go into horticulture and floriculture because most of the flowers that are bought on special days such as Valentine’s Day and Christmas are mostly imported ones.
“Domestically, there are a lot of special days that are better celebrated with flowers; currently, most of the flowers used on these occasions are imported,†he added.
According to statistic from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), export earnings from flowers increased from US$2 million in 2012 to US$2.33million in 2013.
The EU market alone imported a total of €1.1 billion in 2012; about half of this figure went into the import of rose flowers while foliage took up 17 percent.
The Ghana Garden and Flower Show is being organised by Stratcomm Africa on the theme “Gardening for Value: Health, Beauty, Jobs and Incomeâ€Â, and has pooled together florists, horticulturalists, garden lovers, investors, policymakers, home owners and real-estate developers.
The goal of the show is to create awareness about the commercial and psychological benefits of urban beautification and gardening, and it also seeks to promote tourism and a healthier and modern lifestyle.
It also aims to help create employment and income-earning opportunities that support Ghana’s growth and development.
Esther Cobbah,Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm Africa -- organiser of the show -- said there is no doubt that there is a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience from other countries that needs to be tapped.
“We have been excited about the interest shown by many foreign missions in this show and we intend to intensify our interaction with different countries so that future editions of the show can have an international character as well.â€Â
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