43 Outstanding Individuals and Organizations Honoured at the 4th Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards in Ghana

The  Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana has honoured 43 outstanding individuals and organisations that have contributed immensely towards the growth and development of agriculture, and also revolutionising food systems in Ghana and beyond at its 4th Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards at Accra Marriott Hotel on November 24, 2021.

The ceremony themed: Sustainable Agriculture: A Catalyst for Food Security and Job Creation brought together representatives from both private and public institutions, as well as individuals and stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain in Ghana. 

In his speech,  Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana, Anthony Morrison noted that the disruption of food supply chains and the sharp rise in food and commodity prices at the peak of the covid-19 pandemic not only indicated the importance of food and nutrition to humans and livestock but also how dire the need for investments in the agricultural sector is to sustain lives and livelihoods.

He stated that the inception of trading from Ghana and its direct benefits for agribusiness with regards to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), shows that agriculture remains one of the greatest opportunities Ghana has in terms of the diversity of food products from use of locally produced raw materials. 

Morrison urged agribusinesses to take advantage of the AfCFTA and be strategic in their approach to business. 

In his address,  Ghana's Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament of New Juabeng South, Michael Okyere Baafi, indicated that the sector plays a critical role in Ghana's broader efforts to achieve greater industrialization, and hence must be supported in diverse ways to move beyond subsistence to commercial production to feed industry with raw materials for processing, value addition and export: "This requires expanding access to capital and other critical resources including electric power, improved technology and irrigated land to produce high value agricultural commodities", he added.

Michael Okyere Baafi said the full implementation of the AfCFTA is in parallel with other initiatives of the Ministry such as the establishment of industrial parks and Special Economic Zones, the development of Strategic Anchor Industries, the 1-District 1-Factory, as well as the Business Reform Programs is contributing to create the enabling environment needed to promote agro-processing and expand commodity trade.

He reiterated government’s commitment to provide the right policies and strong regulatory framework to attract more investments for farmers and agribusinesses to ensure a thriving business environment that yields positive returns for the agriculture sector. The Chair for the occasion and Deputy CEO in charge of operations at the Tree Crop Development Authority, Dr Foster Boateng, indicated the need to do agriculture in a more structured and innovative manner. According to him, agribusiness is what will generate the needed jobs.

John Dumelo and Nana Owusu Achau emerged Agribusiness Influencer and Outstanding/Promising Agribusiness CEO of the Year respectively,  whiles Broadspectrum  Ltd and Farmer Globale won Agritech/Agri-Data Company and Agribusiness Startup  Company of the Year respectively. 

The Ghana Agribusiness Excellence and Leadership Awards was instituted by the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana to recognise and honour individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly towards the growth and development of their respective business sectors, as well as their key contributions in promoting growth and sustainability of Agriculture in Ghana. 

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