Ghana Food and Agric show takes off in Accra
The 3rd National Food and Agric Show (FAGRO), opened yesterday October 7, 2011 at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park, under the theme, “Beginning with the End in Mind”.
By this theme, FAGRO, which will end on Sunday, October 16, 2011, is providing a platform for stakeholders to fully appreciate and understand the dynamics of the value chain development approach, and the relationships that provide the support systems and linkages for sustainable growth of all businesses and institutions.
According to the Executive Head of Retail Banking at the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and Chairman of FAGRO, Sulley Adam, the value chain development approach focus of FAGRO has received massive support.
This, he said, has come from stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Food and Agriculture which is the show’s biggest collaborator, GIZ, ACDI VOCA, YARA, Shippers’ Authority, Cottage Italia, GAPTO, Multpac, Cocobod, Cocoa Processing Company, the Forestry Commission, Indomie and Movelle fisheries among others, since its falls in line with the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) drive.
For her part, the Exhibition Director at FAGRO, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa said, the 3rd National Food and Agricultural Show will be very practical, educative and exciting with the programmes lined up for the ten (10), day show. FAGRO will run free daily seminars on topics including, The Impact of cocobod in the Ghanaian economy, the new paradigm in agric financing, agric employment situation in Ghana, the role of free zone board in agro-processing and opportunities in the agric industry.
The will also be a FAGRO-WORLD FOOD DAY Food competition, which will see retired footballers and public servants like Nii Odartey Lamptey, C. K. Akunnor, Marcel Desaily, Veronica Commey, Nana Agyeman, Jamil Maraby, Dan Kweku Yeboah, Kofi Asare Brako, Haruna Agesheka and Hon. Nii Amasa Namoale, cook to win the FAGRO-World Food day Chef title.
A stage drama titled, “Beginning with the end in mind” to be performed by the University of Ghana Drama student at the FARGO rounds, is also geared towards attracting more youth into agriculture.
FAGRO, according to then organizers, will also provide the biggest networking and business opportunity with exhibitors from various tractor and equipment companies, financial institutions, food processing companies, fisheries, livestock, agri-input dealers, agro-businesses and foreign companies from China, Spain, Burkina Faso and Kenya, showcase their range of products.
There will further be a full representation of all the Directorates under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa added.
By Edmund Smith-Asante