As agriculture continues to be an essential contributor to Ghana’s economy, the Eastern Regional Agric Department in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council organized a 2 day Eastern commodity satellite market fair on the 27-28th October to facilitate linkage between input dealers, farmers and processors within the region(eastern) to create market access for inputs, products and services.
The program came off and was graced with the many dignitaries. Noted among the dignitaries was the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Acheampong who was the special guest for the fair, the Eastern regional coordinating Director Mr. Samuel Donkor, the regional Director of Agriculture Mr. Henry K. Crentsil Jnr, the Executive Chairman for Kwanim Ghana Denmark Farm Mr. Alexander Frempong Tenkorang also the chairman for the fair , The country director of farmer to farmer initiatives of USAID Mrs. Mina Lassey, heads of Agric departments with their staff in the various District and Municipal assemblies within the region, farmers and agro processing companies.
Mr. Henry K. Crentsil Jnr giving the purpose of the gathering indicated that the fair is to help MMDAs develop the value chains of agricultural commodities for which they have comparative and competitive advantage to viable businesses. He also presented hampers made with these local products and encouraged all present to do same as Christmas is just around the corner.
The regional minister in his speech, encouraged farmers to engage in good products and also highlighted some of the interventions put in place by the government. He further adviced them to take advantage of the interventions.
Some major sponsors of the occasion such as Blue Skies and MTN was given the opportunity to address the fair. Blue Skies as an agro-processor with pineapple as their main product spoke about how they started with 35 staff and how they are currently the largest private business employer with over 3000 staff.
MTN Ghana, as one of the biggest leading telecos represented by Mr. Peter Neils Palme, commercial manager spoke about the system put in place to specifically help farmers qet quick loan to support their business.
The chairperson Mr. Alexander Frempong Tenkorang in his address was excited about the initiative and emphasized that this should be viewed as a process and not an event.
The Municipal Agric Director of Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, Mrs. Perpetual Biamah Decker gave the note of appreciation and encouraged all and sundry to partner farmers to continue the process of agribusiness development ignited in each Municipality.
The program was then launched by the Regional Minister.
