Voacanga plant can boost exports

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), June 26, GNA - The Ghana Export Promotion Council and the Botanical Products Association of Ghana have jointly held an hour-long radio talk show at Dormaa Ahenkro on the need for the people to allow Voacanga Africana (Atweadae) to mature fully before harvest.

Speaking on Dormaa community radio, Mr. George Adomako, a senior export development officer for the Council, noted that the export of the plant's seeds in 2006 was fraught with problems as much of the produce was harvested pre-maturely and did not meet standards on the international market.

Mr. Adomako said the government and its partners in the export industry had identified voacanga as another product that could boost Ghana's export revenue, hence the education campaign especially in communities where the plant abounds.

He appealed to the people to allow the seeds to mature before harvesting and announced that the council and the association had proposed July 31 as the day for the commencement of the harvesting of the seeds.

Mr. John Debrah, an executive member of the association, explained that the two institutions were not stopping any person from harvesting the voacanga seeds but were only appealing for the production of acceptable seeds for export.

He also appealed to the people to stop cutting whole trees during the harvesting process. 26 June 07