By Jibril Abdul Mumuni, GNA
Accra, Sept. 23, GNA – The 14th edition of the Ghana Garden and Flower Show attracted more than 34,000 visitors and over 100 exhibitors, Madam Esther Cobbah, Chief Executive Officer of Stratcomm Africa, has said.
Madam Cobbah said the achievement was a testament to the power of persistence, innovation and commitment to promoting a greener Ghana.
She said this at the closing ceremony of the annual exhibition at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
This year’s event was on the theme: “Green Means Business, Beauty and More.”
The event attracted 34, 000 visitors and more than 100 exhibitors of different varieties of flowers and other horticultural products.
The Ghana Garden and Flower Show was launched in 2013 by Stratcomm Africa as a platform to promote gardening, landscaping, environmental sustainability and green entrepreneurship in Ghana.
The maiden edition featured 14 exhibitors and attracted approximately 1,400 visitors.
Over the years, the event has expanded significantly and has become one of the country’s leading platforms for environmental advocacy, green business promotion and public education on sustainable living.
Madam Cobbah said the event had evolved considerably over the years despite initial skepticism about whether a show centred on flowers, gardens and plants could attract significant public attention and investment.
“We have gone from 14 exhibitors to over 100 exhibitors, 1,400 visitors to over 34,000 visitors. That’s focus,” she said.
Madam Cobbah noted that some of the exhibitors who participated in the maiden edition had grown their businesses substantially, while others had ventured into new opportunities created by the expanding horticulture and landscaping industry.
She cited examples of individuals who had identified niche opportunities within the sector and developed thriving businesses around them, saying the show had become a platform for entrepreneurship, networking and innovation.
The event, she said, had demonstrated that environmental conservation could be linked to livelihoods, job creation and economic growth.
She urged young people to explore opportunities within the green economy, including horticulture, landscaping, urban gardening, beekeeping and environmental services.
Madam Cobbah also encouraged greater collaboration among government institutions, businesses and civil society organisations to promote sustainable development and protect the country’s green spaces.
She commended exhibitors, patrons and partners for their continued support, describing their contribution as critical to the success and longevity of the programme.
She expressed optimism that the movement would continue to grow beyond the annual exhibition through awareness creation, education and engagement with communities across the country.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni