The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council to collaborate with Agrihouse Foundation in developing the Agrihouse Agri-village Training and Demonstration Center in Bamvim into a model agricultural site. This collaboration aims to inspire and empower local farmers and agribusinesses in the region, fostering growth and innovation in the agricultural sector.
Speaking at the launch of the 13th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition and Conference, held at the Agrihouse Agri-village training and demonstration center in Bamvim, Tamale, Hon. Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu expressed his gratitude to Agrihouse Foundation for creating a platform that unites stakeholders from various sectors of agriculture.
He underscored the Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibitions and Conference as a consistent avenue for the Northern Region to showcase its immense agricultural potential, glean wisdom from industry experts, and form invaluable connections.
Hon. Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu praised the event’s remarkable growth and impact over the years. He emphasized its potential to serve as a catalyst for partnerships, technological advancements, and unlocking the untapped potential within the region’s agricultural landscape.
In a nod to gender equality in agriculture, the minister underscored the significance of empowering women in the sector, recognizing their invaluable contributions. He called for comprehensive training and mentorship programs to enhance their participation, leadership, and economic independence within the agricultural value chain.
Furthermore, Hon. Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu highlighted the crucial role of engaging and empowering the youth, who represent the future of agriculture. He expressed his aspirations for the Pre-Harvest event to evolve into a premier agricultural gathering that attracts participants from across the country and beyond. This expansion aims to benefit a growing number of farmers, women, and youth, bringing them under the umbrella of agricultural development and growth.
The Head of Growth and Partnership for Agrihouse Foundation, Micheal Opuni-Frimpong speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, shared a sneak peek into what attendees can anticipate at the 13th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition and Conference, set to occur from October 24th to 26th, 2023 at the Agrihouse Agri-village Training and Demonstration Center in Bamvim .Promising a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, networking, field training, collaboration, business and exploration of the latest agricultural innovations.
“The 13th annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition and Conference under the theme’’ CONNECTING THE UNCONNECTED THE FARMER, THE INPUT DEALER AND THE PROCESSOR ‘’, will provide a vibrant platform for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to converge and explore the latest advancements, trends, and opportunities. This year’s event promises to be an enriching experience for attendees, featuring insightful discussions, interactive workshops, field training networking and a diverse array of exhibitors. Our aim is to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster collaborations, and empower participants to harness the full potential of agriculture ,we encourage all participants to leverage this platform fully, gaining fresh knowledge, establishing vital contacts, and actively contributing to the growth and sustainability of the region’s agricultural landscape”.
We invite everyone to join us at Agrihouse Agri-village training and demonstration center in Bamvim, Tamale on the 24th to 26th October 2023, for the 13th Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Exhibition and Conference.
Agrihouse Foundation and Nebraska based GhaNeb LLC, has confirmed that, the Deputy Minister (Crop), of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, will be leading the Ghana delegation, to attend it 1st Nebraska-Ghana Trade and investment event, and also participate in one of the major agricultural event in the world, the Husker Harvest Days.
Twenty-two Government and Private Businesses, are participating in the 5-day program, which is expected to create long term Business Linkages and Trade opportunities where economic, practical measures and investment strategies will be discussed and explored, in the interest of both parties.
Supporting the organization of the event include the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Sandhill Global, RWH Energy, EZ Politix and Certified Piedmontese.
Already confirmed to attend this program being, organized by GhaNeb LLC and Agrihouse Foundation, are representatives from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, AMG Fertilizers, Collinmon Investment, Fidelity Bank, SAPIP, Cudjoe Abimash Farms, A.N. O. Enterprise and Interplast.
The rest are AgriPower, Elsiyne Enterprise, Ghana Federation of Livestock Inter-Professional (GHAFLIP), Enepa, Nature- Feast Farms LLC and T & C Farms.
Giving background to the event, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, said the event, expected to be an annual one, would help Ghana and Nebraska to build on, and further strengthen business ties, which began in 2022, when Senators Julie Slama, Andrew Le Grone and Ken Schilz were in Ghana.
During their stay in Ghana, Agrihouse Foundation facilitated a Government and Private business stakeholders’ meeting in both Greater Accra and the Northern Region, as well as farm tours.
The program, will equally present the opportunity for the Ghana Delegation to meet leaders in the Agriculture world and will also offer them, a valuable occasion to tap into a wide range of opportunities to gain new knowledge, exploit investment options and widen their networks for sustainable business collaborations and expansions.
Activities for the 5-day event include, a Welcome Networking Reception, Breakout Tours, Roundtable meetings and B2B Matchmaking sessions.
The delegation will also have the opportunity to visit farms, processing facilities, and implement dealers.
Former State Senator Schilz and Mr. Kofi Amoabin, both of Nebraska based GhaNeb LLC, mentioned their excitement, about working with Agrihouse Foundation, to facilitate opportunities, between Ghana and Nebraska.
We are confident, that, this first edition will yield great results.
We have positioned ourselves, to support strengthen businesses and relationships, that will be established from here. The Statement concluded.
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Ayekoo on UTV will air Part 1 of our “Gold in the Soil Awards Documentary,” which celebrates and recognizes the outstanding performances and successes of our women farmers and women in Agribusiness and the stakeholders who support their efforts. This Wednesday’s episode will feature the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Madam Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, and the exciting stories from our women farmers. The “Gold in the Soil Awards” is a key component of our “Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum,” held annually in different regions. Please make a date with us, tune in to UTV on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023, from 9:15 PM to 10:00 PM
Ghana’s Agrihouse Foundation and GhaNeb LLC, in a press release issued in Accra Ghana, are offering a rare opportunity to Ghanaian farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, Government officials and Private Businesses, to exploit a business, Trade and investment opportunity in the forthcoming Nebraska-Ghana Trade and Investment Program, and experience the highly rated Husker Harvest Days.
The Nebraska-Ghana Trade and Investment program, taking place in Grand Island, NE, Nebraska, USA, from September 10th to 14th, 2023, is also receiving support from the Nebraska State Legislature, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, EZ Politix, Sandhills Global, The Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Certified Piedmonstese
“Indeed, Agrihouse Foundation and GhaNeb LLC, are truly looking forward to successfully bringing Agricultural interests and leaders from Ghana and Nebraska, together to help build relationships and bring the interests of both nations together for everyone’s benefit, especially our farmers and Agribusinesses”, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation, was quoted as saying in the press release.
“Besides creating and facilitating opportunities for growth of business, Trade and Investment, in both Nebraska and Ghana, twice in a year, one of the long-term vision of this partnership, is to establish a Ghana- Nebraska Trade & Investment (GhaNeb) Secretariat, in Ghana to support, in growing, harnessing and contribute to scaling up, the opportunities, that are built.
However, to kick-start this vision, we are working with GhaNeb LLC and the Nebraska State Legislature, to send a Ghanaian Business delegation to Nebraska from September 9 – September 15, 2023.
“With the success of this first Trade and Investment program, every subsequent September, Agrihouse Foundation, will work to facilitate a strong business delegation to Nebraska and, every November, Nebraska will, in the same way, send a business delegation to Ghana,” Ms. Akosa elucidated further.
This much needed business event, will equally presents opportunities, for Ghana and Nebraska State businesses, Government agencies officials, to discuss, explore, develop, strengthen and forge bilateral trade and investment relations.
Affirming this, Mr. Ken Schilz, the Key player in the Program, and a former Nebraska State Senator and (former) Chair of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee Nebraksa, explains, that the event presents participants, with immense business opportunities to meet leaders in the Agricultural world.
Whiles in Nebraska, the Ghana Delegation, will also engage in pre-arranged B2B sessions, and other pre-arranged business meetings, which all aims to present and project the opportunities that could be explored by both countries.
The program also presents a great opportunity for learning about new technologies and advancements, that are taking place in American and global agriculture.
“We are working on bringing a delegation from Ghana to participate in our first Trade and Investment Program, and experience Husker Harvest Days.
Whiles in Ghana last year, we worked with Agrihouse Foundation, to facilitate a Government and Private Businesses Stakeholder Event.
We also had the opportunity to visit and experience, some large commercial farms in the Mion, Northern Region. We are particularly excited, that we have been able to scale up, our working relationship. Our collective goal is to, continue our work together, to grow our economies and create lasting partnerships. Former State Senator Ken Schilz added.
So far, The Ghanaian participants that shall be attending this event shall participate in top trade conversations and negotiations, breakout tours, market linkages negotiations, matchmaking, and investment related programs.
They will also have the opportunity to experience the Husker Harvest Days. “For over 40 years, Husker Harvest Days has provided world-class space where farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness/agripreneurs gain priceless insights for their operations while making connections that last for years,” Mr. Schilz explained.
The highly rated event known, as the world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show, has been connecting farming families with Agri producers and services from across the America and beyond. Farmers attend to engage, and this all adds up to ROI (return on investment) value for their business.
This very important agricultural business and investment event will develop and strengthen economic partnerships, provide access to valuable and sustainable market access, enhance bilateral investments, training, knowledge and technology transfer that will support and further boost Ghana’s rapidly growing import and export sector.
Sufficient knowledge to share and takeaway
Participants will enjoy personal conversations with equipment and product designers, techs, and engineers on current equipment and future farming needs; experience the latest in agric technology, and learn from industry experts. Seen as an event that has something for everyone, the Husker Harvest and the Trade and Investment program, promises memorable field demonstrations, Poultry, cattle handling, hemp education, exhibits – and a Hospitality Tent where visitors can relax and enjoy free educational sessions and other guest speakers, and much more.
Whiles in Nebraska, GhaNeb and Agrihouse, plan to have a reception the night before the event’s date for sponsors and participants, with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development providing entry Passes to the event.
Additionally, a luncheon or dinner, and Roundtable discussions, will be organized, as well for sponsors and participants.
At the reception and networking forum on the first day, the conversation will be centered on economic and investment strategies, and practical measures to accelerate and sustain Ghana’s Economic Repositioning and accelerated growth to drive investors to partner Ghana in building the desired thriving industrialized economy.
Field demonstrations that compels innovative investments for increased yields
Whilst in Nebraska, participants shall also have the opportunity to visit farms, processing facilities, implement dealers, as well as meeting with representatives from Nebraska Agriculture Trade Associations, Government leaders and other Agri businesses to exchange ideas and create relationships.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development will be hosting the Ghanaian Business delegates, and will have the opportunity to interact with global machinery, equipment and technology companies exhibiting at the Tradeshow.
“This is a growth opportunity in agribusiness, Trade and investment, a first step in our long-term plan. Ms. Akosa concluded.
At the back of the recent re-launch of the government’s flagship agricultural program, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Phase 2, Agrihouse Foundation, one of Ghana’s foremost agriculture growth facilitator, has let out a press release, re-emphasizing the place of the private sector in leading a partnering drive to make Ghana food security sufficient.
Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, who heads one of Ghana’s foremost agric sector facilitating organization, Agrihouse Foundation, is underscoring the place of the private sector in leading a partnering charge in invigorating and driving growth in the agricultural sector.
“If we appreciate the role of agriculture in the overall growth of a nation’s economy, as a dependable contributor to the GDP growth, and as a proven measure in keeping poverty away, we would realize that the sector, by its potential, ranks amongst the most valuable sectors in any economy,”
Ms. Akosa asserted, that “Of course, this is in addition to the immense reward the sector offers to any investor – be it the government or a private sector investor.”
The professionally prolific and dynamic lady who, herself, is a farmer and a passionate agric facilitator, contends that, even if an evaluation should be made of how her own organization has impacted and influenced the growth dynamics of the sector, the outcome of the evaluation would definitely attest to the claim that the private sector could achieve a significant turn-around, in the contribution of the sector to the economy in the area of revenue and job creation; once the environment is conducive.
“I am not holding brief for anybody,” Ms. Akosa says, “But, if government estimates that its Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) has provided significant number of employment, especially for the youth, I don’t know the figures but, without contesting that claim, I’d tell you that Agrihouse Foundation, from its founding to this present date, has provided over 6,000 jobs, especially for women.” These jobs, she goes on to explain, were created through training and equipping of women farmers, and agripreneurs.
According to the Foundation, the organization has provided long-term market opportunities to “over 297,000 farmers, processors and agribusinesses, in the northern part of Ghana and beyond; boosted the capacity of farmer-based organizations, farmer groups and smallholder farmers, through tailor-made module. The Foundation continues to conduct farmer-to-farmer training and demonstrations; and has already established a vegetable training and demonstration centre in Bamvim, “which is continuously training youth and women in seedling and nursery management.”
“So, being that there is a whole lot to be done,” Ms. Akosa, who has numerous awards to her credit, says, “Our work is an ongoing activity focused on contributing immeasurably to Ghana’s attainment of food security and the eradication of poverty, with particular interest in empowering our hardworking women folks/peasant farmers in our rural communities.
“That is why, on our part, we jump at any opportunity that would enrich and broaden the knowledge of our farmers and agripreneurs and, in addition, give them a global perspective to agriculture and how much it can do to grow a nation and create sustainable wealth through best practices.
“For instance, we have just concluded agreements with an American- entity, GhaNeb LLC, to have Ghanaian farmers, agripreneurs, investors, Private Businesses and government officials attend what has been described as America’s largest outdoor Agricultural Show that attracts vendors and participants from around the world.
The event comes up September 10th – 14th 2023, of which a Ghanaian delegation, will be attending, to take advantage of the prime exposure to register for participation.
“Amongst other impactful activities in the tour, there will be a meeting of the delegation of Nebraska Agricultural interests and officials with Ghanaian businesses and officials aimed at developing relationships and fostering business between Ghana and Nebraska,” Ms. Akosa said.
Coming from a long dating experience in facilitating global interactions and knowledge acquiring experiences for Ghanaian farmers and agribusinesses, beginning from her days as the Co-Founder of FAGRO (a popular food and agricultural exhibitions program in the early 2000’s), this current Nebraska window of opportunities comes as another familiar turf to nurture Ghana’s agric industry.
“With about 12 well targeted and successful agriculture growth facilitating programs from our stable, and the encouraging results and feedbacks we have been receiving every year, especially from our flagship annual Preharvest Agribusiness Exhibitions and Conference event, I am confident that, government remaining consistent in faithfully enforcing enabling policies and interventions, Ghana’s agricultural sector target can be met and even surpassed with the unencumbered participation of the private sector.”
With the PFJ Phase ll programme, government expects to create job opportunities that would have the capacity to enroll “1.2 million farmers” in the first year of its operation, with the projection that, in the next four years, the programme would record “an annual average of two hundred and ten thousand (210,000) new farm-related jobs”.
“That is a heartwarming plan that reemphasizes the fact that government appreciates the place of agriculture in the mix of the nation’s growth variables,” Ms. Akosa observes.
“However, like I expressed earlier,” the release quoted Ms. Akosa as saying, “we, in Agrihouse, are very passionate about empowering our peasant and rural farmers who are the foundation of Ghana’s agriculture and, while supporting government’s seeming perseverance in seeing that agriculture is positioned on an irreversible growth momentum, despite the challenges of the program’s first phase, we are hoping that relevant policies and adequate enablement that allows private sector’s vigorous and responsible partnership must also be factored in amongst government’s list of responsibilities to make this phase a resounding success.”
