A scene during the commencement of the programme yesterday
Flower growers under the umbrella of the Ghana Flower Growers Association (GFGA) yesterday began a workshop in Accra with an international flower expert from the Netherlands Senior Experts group (PUM) serving as a resource person.
The purpose of the workshop is to provide training in floriculture and share information on the international flower industry, with focus on the flower industry value chain.
The one day workshop is being organized by the GFGA in collaboration with the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and Stratcomm-Africa, a communications and reputation management consultancy, organizers of the Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS) at the School of Allied & Nuclear Sciences (SNAS)/University of Ghana.
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 GFGA 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, the 15 acre project site provided by GAEC towards the development of the Centre will have a training and demonstration center, public recreational park, flower museum and a botanical and therapeutic garden among others.
Chris Hoogendoom, the Dutch flower expert who took the flower growers through modern floriculture methods was delighted at the opportunity to share knowledge on the international floriculture industry and to be contributing to the initiative in Ghana.
Ebenezer Abuaku, President of the GFGA said the association remains committed to working with its members to grow Ghana’s floriculture industry.
Esther Cobbah, Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm said “the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement, and its flagship event, the Ghana Garden and Flower Show will be 5 years next year. While this calls for celebration, it also calls for even more work to be done towards the realization of the Movement’s objectives.”
Countries such as the Royal Netherlands, she said, have so much experience in flower cultivation adding “their partnership effort with Ghana is summed up in the slogan, “Growing Together”. Thus we have the opportunity to learn lessons about this industry from them in the process of growing together. It is therefore a delight to have with us today, Mr Chris Hoogendoon, all the way from Holland to sow in us seeds from his vast experience in the Floriculture industry.”