The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the regional and district department has commenced the third edition of Eastern commodity satellite market fair to enable input dealers, farmers and processors within the region to get market for their products and services in the regional capital.
As agriculture continues to be an essential contributor to Ghana’s economy, all districts and municipal assemblies were present with value-added food commodities at the fair.
The Eastern Commodity satellite market fair started in 2019 when the initiative was proposed as a strategy to link smallholder farmers and processors to ready markets.
The theme of the 3rd edition was entitled, enhancing value addition and export potential through the eastern commodity satellite market; the role of regulatory bodies.
Speaking at the commodity fair, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister said that the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market concept has become a household name within the agricultural space of our Country and an initiative worthy of emulation.
Mr Seth Acheampong indicated that the theme of the third edition is centers on the pivotal role of regulatory bodies in enhancing value addition while driving the potential of smallholder farmers and processors towards export adding that it seeks to unlock the potential of commodities, bringing value addition to the forefront and in turn bolstering export potential.
‘‘In the realm of trade and commerce, where opportunities are vast and challenges are complex, regulatory bodies serve as a compass guiding us toward sustainable growth, fair practices, and global competitiveness,’’ he stated.
Mr Seth Acheampong continued that in developing commodity satellite markets, all Districts, led by their Departments of Agriculture, were tasked to play a lead role in the branding of at least one agricultural commodity in which they have both competitive and comparative advantage and facilitate the marketing of these products.
‘‘The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, through the Regional Agricultural Department organized several trainings on value addition, product labelling, product branding, and product certification,’’ he said.
Mr Seth Acheampong averred that regulatory bodies are not enemies of the initiative but partners and it is evident through their continuous collaboration with the Department of Agriculture in organizing all these fairs including this very one.
Mr Seth Acheampong explained that the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) have indeed played a critical role so far and there is no better time to offer them the platform than this year.
He said that the regulatory bodies standards shall not only improve the competitiveness of our products but also facilitate market access by aligning our products with international standards thus expanding our export potential.
Mr Seth Acheampong stated that the regulatory bodies shall form the backbone of the efforts to create a robust and secure environment for value addition and export with harmonious collaboration ensures that commodities from this small but brilliant initiative shall meet global expectations, thus creating and fortifying a space in the international market.
The commodity fair is expected to end on Thursday, October 4,2023.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
