An International Flower Expert from the Netherlands Senior Experts group (PUM), today began a workshop in Accra for members of the Ghana Flower Growers Association (GFGA). The purpose of the workshop is to provide training in floriculture and share information on succeeding in the international flower industry, with a focus on the flower industry value chain.
The one day workshop is being organized by the Ghana Flower Growers Association in collaboration with the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI) of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and Stratcomm Africa, a communications and reputation management consultancy, organizers of the Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS). The workshop was held at the School of Allied & Nuclear Sciences (SNAS)/University of Ghana.
The Association organized the training programme to enhance the knowledge of members on the global floriculture industry to enable them tap into the revenue and job potential of this industry that is worth billions of dollars. The Ghanaian flower industry has an enormous potential to generate foreign exchange for the country and create jobs for Ghanaians among other benefits and the association is seeking to take advantage of this opportunity.
Professor Kenneth Ellis Danso, the Director-General of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Director of the BNARI/GAEC, the chairman for the workshop, spoke about partnership between GAEC and GHAFGROWA towards establishing an International Flower Centre Project in Ghana and the need for improving the human capacity of the association members. He also congratulated the members of the flower association for the great work they have been doing.
According to him, “The Commission will provide solutions through emerging technologies and research to develop the floriculture industry and also train the members on the application of these technologies to improve their productivity,”
Professor Danso made an observation that the Association and Commission will take advantage of the arrival of the expert to seek his advice on the development of the GAEC International Flower Center Project. Adding that, the15 acre project site provided by GAEC towards the development of this Centre will have a training and demonstration center, public recreational park, flower museum and a botanical and therapeutic garden among others.
Mr. Chris Hoogendoorn, the Dutch International Flower Expert who took the trainees through modern floriculture methods, was delighted at the opportunity to share knowledge on the international floriculture industry and to be contributing to this initiative in Ghana.
Mr. Ebenezer Abuaku, President, Ghana Flower Growers Association, said the association remains committed to working with its members to grow Ghana’s floriculture industry saying,
“We are excited about the arrival of the flower expert to help us improve our operations to enable us benefit from the industry”.
He said the expert will among other things advise the association on the development of its International Flower Center Project being undertaken in partnership with the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI) of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and with communication support from Stratcomm Africa. The 15 acre project site granted to the association by the GAEC will have a training center, a public recreational park, and a flower museum among others.
“We believe that the opportunities in floriculture are enormous, if more attention is paid to the industry by all stakeholders, our country will benefit immensely from it. We are encouraged by the support of our partners, and would like to use this opportunity to thank them; we pledge our commitment to growing this industry to benefit Ghanaians and the world at large”, he added.
Ms. Esther A. N. Cobbah, Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm Africa said, “we at Stratcomm Africa are really delighted and encouraged by this initiative.
“The economies of many countries are benefitting from floriculture; we believe when the necessary structures are put in place, Ghana can benefit from this industry. Stratcomm Africa is happy that the seeds of our efforts over the past four years are gradually taking root and this partnership with the association is one of the fruits that we will all enjoy as a result.”
Next year, the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement will be five years, and we are delighted that this partnership has been birthed at this time. It is also testament to the power of communication as a tool for sustainable development. Together, we can make Ghana greener, wealthier, healthier and more beautiful, she added.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
