Ms Esther Cobbah, the Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Communications Africa Limited (STRATCOMM Africa), has tasked Ghanaians to exploit the economic opportunities offered by the horticultural industry.

According to her, developing gardens and growing plants for export could generate foreign income, which would address some of the country’s fiscal challenges.

“By exporting flowers, the country could create jobs and also earn foreign income to support the economy,” she added.

She said horticultural products offered export diversification opportunities, considered as important for the economic future of the country, and thereby called on Ghanaians to appreciate the benefits associated with the sector.

Speaking at the launch of the fourth Ghana Garden and Flower Show in Accra yesterday, Ms Cobbah said many African countries were reaping hard currency earnings from exporting flowers and plants, and that had protected the value of their national currencies.

She reiterated that with the right national and individual orientation, policies and drive, the country’s rich flora and fauna could provide jobs to millions as it has happened in other countries.

Ms Cobbah said the Ghana flower movement has continued to grow over the years, and more exciting activities have been introduced this year.

She noted that this year’s show would focus on the values of gardens and flowers for the environment, adding that if Ghanaians saw the world as their garden, they would take care of their surroundings better.

She added that the show would also focus on environmental protection through gardening, with participants being educated on how to recycle waste for gardening and flower cultivation.

Ms Cobbah disclosed that academic institutions, businesses, churches, communities and individual homes would be rewarded for keeping good gardens.

She called on the youth to take advantage of the show to generate employment opportunities both for themselves and their peers.

Ms Cobbah assured that this year’s show, slated for September 8 to 14, 2016, will be bigger and better than in previous years.

The show, which is being organised by STRATCOMM Africa, is aimed at creating awareness on the commercial and psychological benefits of urban beautification and gardening.

It is designed to promote tourism, as well as healthier and modern lifestyles while helping to create employment and income-earning opportunities for growth and development.

The show will include conferences, workshops and exhibitions, during which horticultural experts and resource persons from academia will discuss the health and economic benefits of gardening and flowering.

The theme selected for this year is ‘Dream it, Discover it, Live it’, with a focus on Eco-tourism and the 5 Ps of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.

Christine Evans-Klock, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator, said the SDGs are mutually interdependent, and with an initiative such as the flower show, they can be achieved together.

She commended STRATCOMM for the initiative, saying: “This is what is needed to meet social goals of ending extreme poverty, expanding health and education services, and ending hunger”.