The 2025 edition of the Ghana Horticulture Expo has officially commenced at the Accra International Conference Centre under the theme “Innovate, Transform, Sustain: Driving Growth in Ghana’s Horticultural Sector.”
The 3-day event, scheduled to conclude on Friday June 13, 2025, was organised by the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) in collaboration with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).
Addressing industry stakeholders during the opening day ceremony, the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, stated that Ghana’s future economic transformation depends on building a “productive economy,” with horticulture playing a central role in that vision.
He called for a transformative shift within the agricultural sector, emphasising the need for substantial investments, innovative approaches, and strategic collaborations.”
“Our goal is not just food security, but economic security through agricultur… Let us grow Ghana one fruit, one field, and one future at a time,” he said.
President Mahama announced a plan to revitalise the horticulture sector, commencing with the reinvigoration of the Feed Ghana initiative. This initiative will span the period from 2025 to 2028.
President Mahama addressing stakeholders at the 2025 edition of the Ghana Horticulture Expo held at the Accra International Conference Centre
He emphasised the moral and economic urgency of the reforms, describing the struggles of farmers as not only technical challenges but national ethical concerns.
“Horticulture is not an afterthought. It is central to our vision of national economic transformation. We must move from smallholder survival to value addition, international competitiveness and youth-driven enterprise.”
The President also announced that the 24-hour economy policy will begin implementation on July 1st, with the Takoradi and Tema Ports expected to run uninterrupted operations.
The CEO of GEPA, Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, announced a new Youth in Export Programme to engage young people in export-led horticulture, especially in underserved areas.
He said the horticulture sector, holds immense promise for the nation as a key driver of economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.
“The Ghana Export Promotion Authority is working in collaboration with the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters and other stakeholders to roll out the Youth in Export Programme, targeting young people in communities across the country,” he noted.
The President of the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Davies Korboe, supported the President’s call for action, calling the Expo a “grand orchestra of ideas and enterprise.”
He urged stakeholders to take a decisive action to ensure that Ghanaians take control of the nation’s unexploited agro-ecological potential.
According to him, Ghana’s post-harvest losses still exceed 30%, and yields for crops like mangoes, pineapples, and coconuts remain below global standards, yet the global horticulture market is projected to reach over $320 billion by 2030.
Mr. Korboe also highlighted the transformative potential of the 24-Hour Economy policy, describing it as a game-changer for horticulture.
“Imagine cold storage running through the night, agro-processing plants operating in shifts, and exports moving without delay. This is not a fantasy; it’s a vision within reach,” he noted.
The Expo, intended to reposition horticulture as a viable engine of economic diversification, job creation, and export growth, brought together key stakeholders from across Africa, including government officials, exporters, financial institutions, and agribusiness leaders.