Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber launched
The Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber (GNEBCHAM) aimed at promoting agribusiness growth and trade relations between Ghana and the State of Nebraska in the United States of America (USA) has officially been launched.
The Chamber will support agribusiness, create business opportunities, trade relations, cooperation, and strategic alliances for Ghana and Nebraska.
The Chamber has a governing board made of Senator Ken Schilz and Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa as its founder and Co-Executive directors, Mrs Doris Ahiati, President, and Mr Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, Vice President.
Others are Mr Ato Brown, Chairperson, Membership and Communications Sub-Committee, Dr Yaw Osei Asare, Chairperson of the Financial Sub-Committee, Alhaji Akakade Moro, Chairperson, Livestock and Poultry Sub-Committee, Dr Solomon Gyan, Chairperson, Crops Sub-Committee, and other members of the various sub-committees.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, said the ministry, through its Economic, Trade and Investment Bureau, would work with the Chamber in order to advance the agribusiness sector, encourage innovation, and streamline trade process between Ghana and Nebraska.
“We are dedicated to support initiatives which yield sustainable agribusiness opportunities and strengthen trade exchanges,” he added.
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Yaw Frimpong-Addo, said the partnership would enhance the processing and value addition of Ghana agricultural produce.
According to Ms Akosa, Nebraska is an agribusiness state, and was a one-stop shop in terms of crops, livestock, and education, and one that Ghana could benefit from, hence the need for the partnership.
Senator Schilz said the establishment of the chamber was vital as it would help to provide an opportunity for the discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector, networking, creation of market programmes, policy advocacy, and the creation of a scholarship fund for individuals interested in agriculture.
He further explained that Ghana had the capacity of ensuring the that partnership was a success as the country had all the natural resources it needed to grow more crops and improve yields.
However, he noted that the chamber had to find ways to right size the agricultural equipment that were brought to Ghana, and to expand the country’s agricultural sector for it to take advantage of the skills that industrialised and large-scale agricultural production offered.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY