By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), Sept. 06, GNA – Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, is expected to deliver a keynote address at the 2nd AgriFood Future 2024 scheduled for September 8 to 11, 2024 in Salerno, Italy.
It would be on “Women Leading in Agritech,” to highlight the vital role women played and could play in advancing global food systems, given the platform.
A statement by the Agrihouse Foundation, copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa, said Ms Akosa would share Agrihouse Foundation’s Agri interventions, and the growth and impacts of those interventions within the African Region.
The European Parliament, Italian Ministries of Agriculture Food Sovereignty and Forestry; Environment and Energy Security; and Businesses and Made in Italy patronised the AgriFood Future organised by Unioncamere and the Chamber of Commerce of Salerno.
This year’s event would focus on the theme “Building a Business in the Food System 5.0 with AI,” which focused on and explored innovative practices, partnerships and collaborations that could drive growth and efficiency within the agri-food sector.
“Alberta’s participation becomes strategic for this year as the AgriFood Future seeks to broaden its scope to cover the African and Caribbean Regions in the short and long term.
It is expected that this major event will lead to the expansion and participation of more African and Caribbean and offer the opportunity to delve into the global business in food systems and how we can collectively build it,” the statement indicated.
It said Mr Andrea Prete, the President of Unioncamere and promoter of AgriFood Future, expressed excitement about Ms Akosa’s acceptance to deliver the keynote address at the event as that would help promote and create opportunities for Ghana, Africa and the Caribbean regions on the global stage.
“Ms Akosa has been at the forefront of transforming agricultural practices in Africa, particularly through her work in promoting innovation, sustainability, and capacity building within the agricultural community in Ghana.
Her expertise in leveraging technology and fostering collaboration for the sector aligns perfectly with the themes of our conference,” the statement quoted Mr Prete.
Mr Prete acknowledged that Ms Akosa’s participation in the event was a testament to her exceptional leadership and pioneering contributions to the agri-food sector.
He said they looked forward to positive discussions emanating from her address as they worked together to build a more sustainable and inclusive AgriFood Future.
The statement also referenced Mr Alex Giordano, the Scientific Director for the AgriFood Future, as saying that Ms Akosa’s selection to speak at the event was in recognition of the substantial impact of Agrihouse Foundation on Ghana’s agricultural sector.
He mentioned the Agrihouse Foundation’s intervention in the areas of youth advocacy, women empowerment, and enhancing market accessibility through their initiatives and interventions.
“As a leading advocate women, youth and men in Ghana’s agriculture sector, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa embodies the spirit of innovation and progress that AgriFood Future aims to celebrate,’’ the statement quoted Mr Giordano.
Ms. Akosa expressed gratitude to Unioncamere for the opportunity to speak at the 2nd Agrifood Future 2024 saying: “…I look forward to discussing how women leaders in Agritech are driving innovation and how Ghana and Africa can harness these advancements to create a more sustainable and equitable food system”.
She emphasised that her insights aimed to position Ghana and Africa as key players in the global agricultural arena, fostering global connections and business opportunities.
“The AgriFood Future 2024 provides an invaluable platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration.
By this I will also explore how Africa can leverage global platforms like AgriFood Future to enhance agricultural practices,” the statement quoted Ms Akosa.
It said under Ms Akosa’s leadership, the Agrihouse Foundation had been instrumental in executing initiatives designed to unlock the potential of youth, women and men for innovation in the agricultural sector.
The statement identified those initiatives to include: the annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions; the Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries Tradeshow; Ghana Agrochemical and Crop Protection Exhibitions and Awards; the 1-Household 1-Garden, and Ghana Poultry Day.
The statement said those initiatives empowered and continued to empower the next generation of agricultural leaders, particularly in rural communities where the innovation potential was vast but often untapped.
GNA