Strategic Communications Africa Limited (StratComm Africa) has launched the ninth edition of its flagship initiative, the Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS), in Accra.

This year’s show, which is a celebration of previous successes of the annual event, is on the theme: “9G: Nine years of green living”.

It is scheduled to take place at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra from August 25 to 29, 2021.

It is aimed at, among other objectives, connecting Africa through the love of plants and flowers.

Stimulus

The Head of Communications of Stanbic Bank, Mr Mawuko Afadzinu, who launched the show in Accra last Sunday, said the event offered some stimulus to the flower industry in the country.

“The industry is growing, even though we haven’t pushed it aggressively, and so platforms like this are to cause the industry to grow through clear and concerted strategies,” he added.

Given the commercial and economic prospects of the flower sector in the country, Mr Afadzinu urged industry players to create synergies to grow and promote the industry in a more profitable manner.

“A lot of countries appreciate, as we should do, the value of flowers and are ready to pay what it takes to get flowers and we also have what it takes to produce for them. And so if we have a willing buyer, we just have to be willing producers to make the money and share and export joy to other people in other countries,” he said.

Environmental benefits

According to Mr Afadzinu, aside from its economic advantage, flowers also enhanced the beauty of nature and made the environment look more welcoming.

“People have studied the health benefits of flowers and what it does to our psyche and total wellness. Flowers have a way of adding colour and increasing the feel-good factor in our space,” Mr Afadzinu added.

A board member of the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement, Mr Bernard Tuffour, said the show could help boost the economy, as more jobs would be created, adding that the GGSF had come to stay because it had a “far-reaching” impact.

“The show has several success stories of some participants who are now CEOs of their own businesses in the floriculture and horticulture industry through their participation in the show over the years,” he said.