An agric business forum has been held in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital to create linkage between agribusinesses and value chain service providers for improved performance and efficiency.
The program was organized by 2SCALE which is an incubator and accelerator organisation that manages a portfolio of public private partnerships (PPPs) for inclusive businesses in agri-food sectors and industries.
The 2SCALE is been ran in eight African countries namely Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali ,Niger ,Burikina Faso and Cote D’ivoire. It aims at bringing small Scale Enterprises to a common platform (agribusiness SMEs or farmer producer organizations) where Agribusiness Clusters (ABCs) are developed and integrated in competitive and inclusive value chains that target African food markets.
The project further target at establishing Public Private Partnership (PPPs) in sectors such as Protein & Animal Products, Staple Crops, Fresh Produce and Oil Seeds.
Speaking to word news in an exclusive interview Mr Jalil Zakariah, the country team Leader of 2SCALE in Ghana, said the main objective of” the program is to contribute to Food & Nutrition Security, Sustainable & Inclusive Economic Growth and stability in Africa through Public Private Partnerships”.
Mr Zakariah added that the specific goals of the forum is to Improve access to nutritious food, Improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers, develop inclusive businesses with MSMEs and Scale up public private partnerships.
“Today, 2SCALE program in partnership with Faranaya, KEDAN and Tamanaa limited are organizing a Business to Business meeting to facilitate value chain linkages to improve efficiency through increasing collaboration among actors in the value chain of Sorghum, Maize and Rice. This network event is bringing together key participants in the provision of services in the value chain to deliberate on the value each service providers which will lead towards value chain competitiveness.”
“When lead firms establish linkages with other service providers, there is an increased potential for win-win outcomes. Therefore, this event is to provide a platform for the business champions (Faranaya, KEDAN and Tamanaa) to network with other value chain actors to ultimately lower supply chain risks, reduce costs, and increase access to finance, inputs and improved technologies. “
Mr Zakariah also hinted that the forum will create an opportunity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in the value chain to gain access to new markets, financing, and technology to transform their businesses by linking Faranaya, KEDAN and Tamanaa limited to other value chain actors to increase access to finance, green innovations and inputs.
Sharing her experience after the program, Mrs Murijana Abubakar the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Suglo Suhudo, processors of sheanut into Shea butter, liquid soap and shampoo, based in Northern Region, said the forum has actually created a bigger linkages for her business which money can’t buy and added that the interview she granted to Word news has also connected her to a lot of business partners in the Upper East Region.
FARANAYA an Agric Business Centre based in Garu in the Upper East Region whose main objective is to promote sustainable agric business in Northern Ghana is also gearing towards promoting employment opportunities for the youth in the vulnerable.
Mr Zakariah Abugre, the Business Development officer of FARANAYA, lauded 2Scale for the Agric business forum but also pleaded with 2Scale to assist them in developing a new product to further give a backing to their current challenges with Guinness Ghana Limited which has been buying the sorghum they produce.
Gaspard Ayuureneeya.