By Emmanuel AKOMEA
The Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber (GNEBCham) has been officially launched, signalling a new era of collaboration between Ghana and Nebraska to grow the sector and promote trade.
GNEBCham is the international representative arm of selected Nebraska senators, farmers, agribusinesse and subsidiaries voluntarily working together with their Ghanaian partners to create an environment where agribusiness and trade can thrive.
The Chamber is a not-for-profit organisation, established in 2023 as a joint venture between Ghana and Nebraska public and private sector officials to strengthen, encourage, promote, foster and facilitate agribusiness trade relations between Ghana and Nebraska.
The Chamber’s business activities are spread across diverse sectors: crops, livestock, agro-processing, raw materials, machinery, equipment, inputs, irrigation, food, education, aggrotech and tech industries.
Co-Founder of the Chamber, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, expressed enthusiasm about its establishment, stating: “We have reached a significant milestone in the agribusiness sector with the Bhaskar Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber launch, marking a major step forward in our efforts to strengthen and expand bilateral economic ties between Ghana and Nebraska”.
The Chamber aims to focus on various aspects of agribusiness including crop cultivation, livestock management and agricultural education. Particularly noteworthy is its emphasis on engaging and empowering youth interested in the agricultural industry. Through facilitating growth opportunities for existing businesses and supporting individuals looking to enter the sector, the Chamber seeks to foster development within the agribusiness industry.
Ms. Akosa further emphasised the collaborative nature of the partnership with Nebraska, highlighting their shared commitment to advancing the sector. The Chamber’s establishment represents an opportunity to leverage the expertise and experience of partners in Nebraska to drive growth and development within the agribusiness sector.
She indicated that the Chamber represents an opportunity to create and facilitate growth opportunities for existing agribusinesses looking to expand, as well as for individuals and students seeking to enter the sector. It will also provide support for businesses aiming to scale up their operations.
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong-Addo, in his remarks stated that his ministry has been behind the initiative and will continue to offer support. He added that the importance of technology transfer, particularly in terms of additional processing units, silos and hub technology, has been fully recognised.
The Deputy Minister indicated that the Chamber, which is an interconnected platform, will enable companies to identify production areas and establish processing facilities efficiently – adding that this approach is crucial for propelling agriculture into the industrial stage.
Co-Founder of the Chamber, Senator Ken Schilz, stressed the importance of expanding agriculture in Ghana to take advantage of economies of scale and industrialised production methods. By increasing farm sizes and intensifying tillage practices, Ghanaian farmers can potentially boost their output and efficiency.
Comparing the agricultural landscapes of Ghana and Nebraska, Senator Schilz emphasised the abundance of natural resources in Ghana and opportunity for increased crop yields with proper water management. He acknowledged the need to adapt machinery and equipment to suit smaller-scale operations in Ghana.
