Photo: Tullow Oil

President John Atta Mills turns on Ghana's first oil flow.

With over half of Ghana's labour force employed in agriculture, which represents one third of its GDP, and industrialisation of its economy still a long way off, its current administration has introduced a parliamentary bill to invest substantial amounts of the expected oil revenue into the agricultural sector.

As a signatory to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact in 2006, which aims to assist in transforming the nation's agricultural sector, the government has directed capital toward repairing and improving the transportation and distribution infrastructure serving agricultural exports, improving access to its air and sea ports as well as limiting post harvest losses estimated at up to 50% of total production.

Against this encouraging background, South Africa-based event organisers, Exhibition Management Services (EMS), in partnership with Accra based EXPO Promotions, announced the first in a series of agribusiness events, AGRITEC West Africa 2011, an International Exhibition & Conference on Agribusiness & Aquaculture, Agricultural & Horticultural Equipment, Systems & Technology together with Associated Infrastructure which will take place from 10-12 May 2011 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Ghana's capital city Accra.

With the invited support of Ghana's Minister for Food & Agriculture, Kwesi Ahwoi, the exhibition will feature the latest scientific developments in crop cultivation and farm machinery, irrigation systems, horticulture, agricultural and garden tools, agrichemicals, food processing and packaging, cool-chain technology, grain transport and processing, pest control and biotechnologies, agricultural education, aquaculture, biofuel production and agritourism amongst many others.

'Ghana, with its economic and political stability, enlightened leadership and vast human, land and climate resource, could, and I believe should be the sub-Saharan West Africa hub for long term sustainable modern agricultural development. Based on our experience here in South Africa, I know that there is a pressing need for an international agri-business trade fair in Accra which would focus world attention on its potential as a modern, progressive agricultural economy,' says John Thomson, Managing Director of EMS.

AGRITEC West Africa 2011, which is expected to host a number of country pavilions, will bring international manufacturers and suppliers in contact with a highly targeted West African audience tonetwork with buyers, investors, key decision makers, governmental authorities and representatives of various trade related bodies.

Running at the same time with the exhibition will be a two-day conference that will bring understanding and awareness of the need to achieve food security in Ghana by transforming its farming production into large scale commercial output as well as the business opportunities that this presents to investors in the agribusiness sector.

AGRITEC West Africa 2011 will take place from 10-12 May 2011 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.