Ghana is setting its sights on the lucrative international flower market, backed by plans for a major new horticultural export corridor linking Daboya to Tamale Air Cargo Hub.
The government-backed initiative, developed alongside a private sector investor, aims to transport fresh cut flowers directly from the Daboya-Singa pathway to European, West African, and Gulf markets.
Speaking on Friday at the opening of the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show, Augustus “Goosie” Obuadum Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, outlined the vision to establish a fully integrated, high-value agricultural sector under the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme.
“We, at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, are working with a private sector investor to develop a cut flowers corridor along the Daboya Singa pathway to be airlifted to the Tamale Air Cargo Hub, to markets in Europe, to markets in Ghana and West Africa, the Gulf, and other future potential destinations,” he said.
Detailing the broader strategy, Mr Tanoh stressed that expanding production alone would not guarantee commercial success, emphasizing the need for robust logistics, international standards, specialized skills, and cold-chain infrastructure.
“Producing is not the same as building an industry,” he said.
Pointing to existing trade achievements, including $75m (£57m) in mango exports across 42 countries in 2024, as well as domestic demand for imported roses around Valentine’s Day, Mr Tanoh suggested Ghana is well placed to replicate the success of major exporters like Kenya. Last year, Kenya generated $556m from flower sales, while the Netherlands’ horticultural exports surpassed €28bn.
“Getting a highly perishable flower from a Kenyan farm to a customer 1,000 km away requires rigorous procurement standards, cooling systems, grading, packaging, certification, freight, and reliable market relationships,” he noted.
“On Valentine’s Day, we import roses from all over the place to be able to give to our loved ones. So we do have a domestic market. We do have domestic demand,” he said.
Highlighting the scale of global demand during peak seasons, he added: “Last year, on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, the Kenyans had to contract an additional 17 wide-body cargo planes to be able to lift flowers to European markets to meet the demand for Valentine’s Day flower gifts. We can do the same.”
The wider project also encompasses supporting infrastructure, including Shiqpon—a peri-urban initiative connecting greenhouses and micro-irrigated farms to cold storage facilities and urban markets.
Addressing environmental concerns, Mr Tanoh maintained that industrial growth and sustainability can go hand in hand.
“Ghana does not have to choose between growing industries and protecting the environment. We can produce more, create jobs, and expand exports while strengthening the natural systems that make that that make our environment grow and thrive,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana