GNBCC STAFF FEATURE-Barnabas K. Apom (Senior Project and Business Manager)

17-03-2023

 GNBCC STAFF FEATURE-Barnabas K. Apom (Senior Project and Business Manager)

Featuring on the Staff Feature this week is Barnabas K. Apom, a Senior Project and Business Manager at GNBCC. Enjoy the read!


The Netherlands Embassy has prioritized horticulture, cocoa and job creation within the agribusiness context for the coming years and as such GNBCC was contracted to host the Private Sector Development (PSD) project that aims to support businesses in these sectors.

Within the PSD Project, Barnabas is assisting in setting up a new Horticulture Business platform (HBP) that brings together all  players in the Horticulture sector to network, share information and do business. 

Also the Embassy is  supporting the establishment of a Horticulture Development Authority (HAD), a new public –private entity, that will guide and oversee horticulture development in the country.

A strategy was developed for the formation of a horticulture business platform after consultants engaged with 25 representatives from the key sector players. The new horticulture platform meetings were recommended to focus on three objectives: (1) networking; (2) information sharing; and (3) public – private dialogue. 

The new platform meetings was therefore advised by members to integrate these three objectives through a half – day events that include seminars, a discussion with government representatives and with min trade fairs (with active b2B engagements), quarterly bases stating in Accra and expanding gradually

The topics of the platform meetings should focus on emerging developments in the sector . For instance, new laws and regulations, financing options and innovations in primary production. The Platform meetings can be complemented by virtual events that focus on specific training topics like quality assurance, pest and disease management and certification). 

A WhatsApp group and newsletter supported by an active secretariat will be created for the members of the platform, together with an annual Horticulture Trade Fair organized that can also serve as a source of revenue for the organizers.

Current Events:

At present, there has been a  formation of a core group with eight members to discuss activities and programs for the larger group. 

The first meeting, which was held on 7th March in Accra was attended by all eight (8) members of the secretariat, together with the General Manager of GNBCC, Mr. Tjalling Wiarda and representatives from the Netherlands Embassy, in person of Mr. Bram Elmer van and Mr. Wisdom Konwuruk. 

The meeting ended successfully with the nomination and appointment of a chairperson, Ms. Catherine Krobo Edusei of EdenTree and three assistants in person of Mr. Aaron Attefa Ampofo, Mr. Emmanuel Kissiedu of African-Tiger  and Mr. Anthony Tamakloe of Ghana Green Label. There will be a series of meetings with the secretariat to draw out the activity plans for the year.

For more information, contact Barnabas via email barnabas@gnbcc.net

 

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