By Cyril Bubu
Ghana is on a path to rake in billions of dollars in revenue through plantation. However, this can only be achieved when properly trained and certified experts take the centre in the plantation sector.
These came to light at a news conference organised by the Incorporated Society of Planters, Africa, ISPA, in Accra.
Addressing the media, the Chairman of ISP, Africa, Dr. Shermal Perera, said knowledge sharing and technology transfer are critical in promoting sustainable agriculture. He said the focus of ISP is therefore to promote advancement and knowledge of Planters as well as their technical and managerial knowledge.
ISP Africa also aims to promote and propose appropriate legislation and publications relevant to the plantation sector.
The Incorporatee Society of Planters, ISP, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was founded in 1919 and is the parent body for the ISP Africa chapter. The society also aims to promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation between African countries and improve the Plantation Industry’s environment.
Membership of the society comprises business leaders, entrepreneurs, and agribusiness professionals.
The society recognises Ghana’s pivotal role in plantation development within Africa, particularly being the second largest producer of cocoa in the world, the fourth largest producer of cassava, and the country’s demonstrated competitiveness in oil palms, cashew, rubber, rice, and tomatoes, among others.
The news conference was to formally announce that Ghana will be hosting the inaugural First Year Anniversary Symposium and Initial Technical Training of the
African Regional Chapter of the ISP between the 22nd and the 23rd of May this year. This event is poised to attract delegates from all around the world, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Europe, the USA, and countries in the African continent.
The Vice Chairman of ISP Africa, Dr. Fatai Afolabi, said it is important to identify who, what, where, when, and how to plant. He said without the appropriate responses, there cannot be any meaningful returns from planting.
Mr. Christian Foli, who was unveiled as the Chairman of the Ghana Branch of ISP, criticised the ad hoc manner in which policies aimed at promoting agriculture and plantations were introduced in the past.
He said for such policies to achieve the desired results, government must be intentional about them and engage the right people with the requisite skills and know-how.
He said it is regrettable that while Malaysia got its first oil palm from West Africa, from which it now generates about 40 billion dollars, Ghana, Nigeria, and the other countries in the sub-region have not been able to make any meaningful gains from oil palm.
According to him, with the support of ISP, that narrative is about to change, not only in respect of oil palm but also other crops such as cashew, cassava, and rubber.
Individuals and companies are encouraged to join the society to improve their skills and also stand the chance of attracting the necessary international funding.
