Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Kobina Tahir Hammond, has revealed that bananas are the country's leading horticultural export, both in terms of volume and value.
In a statement, Minister Hammond disclosed that Ghana's banana exports have shown significant growth in the past 15 years.
Specifically, exports surged from 32,240 tons in 2007 to an impressive 108,379 tons in 2021.
Of Ghana's total banana production in 2022, which amounted to 125,829 metric tons, approximately 59,563 metric tons were exported to the European Union (EU) market. This marked a slight decrease from the 67,126 metric tons that the EU received from Ghana in 2021.
The minister emphasized the vital role played by large-scale commercial banana plantations such as Golden Exotic and Volta River Estates in providing employment and stable incomes for households in their respective regions.
Mr. Hammond made these remarks during the handover ceremony of the first phase of a housing project, consisting of 160 units, to workers of Golden Exotic Limited in Kasunya, Asutsuare, located in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Mr. Irchad Razaaly, European Union Ambassador, and Mr. Olivier Chassang, Vice President of Compagnie Fruitiere in Ghana, the parent company of Golden Exotics Limited.
This initiative, jointly funded by the Government of Ghana and the European Union (EU), aims to address rural poverty and homelessness among farming communities.
It aligns with the government's Banana Accompanying Measures Programme, focusing on agricultural sector development and enhancing social welfare in farming communities.
The newly constructed housing units offer modern amenities and energy-efficient utilities, ensuring comfortable living for farmers and their families. The community also features a water treatment plant and a community center.
Minister Hammond praised all stakeholders in the banana value chain for their collective efforts in driving the remarkable growth in banana production. Mr. Razaaly, the EU Ambassador, emphasized the EU's commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector through such initiatives.
Olivier Chassang called the housing project a significant achievement in the social development of the company and a model of international cooperation.
The Banana Accompanying Measures Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of the banana export industry amid tariff preference erosion in the EU market, ensuring its long-term sustainability, both economically and environmentally.
This program has benefitted ten countries, and in Ghana, it seeks to improve the living conditions of farmers, alleviate rural poverty, and promote sustainable rural development.
Reporting by GNA: EDiting by Adewale Adejoke
