Kick-off Program for the Horticulture Business Challenge (HBC)

16-08-2024

Kick-off Program for the Horticulture Business Challenge (HBC)

On Thursday, August 8th, 2024, we hosted the Kick-Off program for the Horticulture Business Challenge at ISSER Conference Hall on the University of Ghana Campus. The Kick-Off marked the third and final selection stage for participants in our upcoming 10-day program scheduled for September 6th to 13th in Accra.

This event brought together a diverse group of tertiary students, recent graduates, and young professionals from renowned institutions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, University of Ghana, AKENTEN APPIAH-MENKA UNIVERSITY OF SKILLS TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT(AAMUSTED_GH), University of Professional Studies, Accra, among others.

The program was expertly moderated by Joana Chemel, who also serves as a coach during the main program, with Susanne Roelofsen Afum, who joined via Zoom from the Netherlands, introducing herself and offering her best wishes to the participants.

In the morning, Jemima R. Rockson, representing GNBCC's General Manager, Tjalling Yme Wiarda, delivered a welcome address and an insightful presentation about GNBCC. She emphasized the significance of projects like the HBC, which are part of the Private Sector Development (PSD) initiatives implemented by GNBCC on behalf of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana. PAUL ANARTEY from the Youth in Food Program and Deborah Anobil from Holland Greentech also presented their programs and initiatives, exposing participants to the many opportunities and initiatives that exist for young professionals in Horticulture.

The program also featured engaging introductions from the two participating companies: Green Gold Gardens, represented by CEO Rosaline Nutsugah, and Green Energy Ghana, represented by Project Manager Laurens S. Both companies are esteemed members of GNBCC. Green Gold Gardens was previously involved in the GNBCC Women in Business Mentorship Program, while Green Energy Ghana is a registered founding member of the Horticulture Business Platform (HBP).

This strategic involvement of our members and project participants aims to enhance the continuity of impact and ensure a 360-degree benefit for all stakeholders. During the HBC program in September, participants will work in mixed teams to identify feasible solutions to real business challenges identified by the two participating companies.

After these presentations, the participants were divided into seven mixed-gender teams, each consisting of three members and over the course of two hours, these teams collaborated to brainstorm and present innovative preliminary solutions for the participating companies. The company representatives were impressed by the creativity and practicality of the solutions and selected the top four teams to proceed to the main program in September.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the 12 selected participants!

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