2016 Ghana Garden and Flower Show Media Launch

FOURTH GHANA GARDEN AND FLOWER SHOW TO PROMOTE ECOTOURISM AND THE UNITED NATIONS SDG’S

Accra- 19th July, 2016 -Strategic Communications Africa Ltd. (Stratcomm Africa) has launched the fourth edition of the Ghana Garden and Flower Show at the Movenpick Ambassador hotel in Accra.

According to the organisers, the 2016 Ghana Garden & Flower Show,, Themed “Dream It, Discover It, Live It”, focuses on ecotourism and the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her welcome address, Ms. Esther Cobbah, CEO of Stratcomm Africa, stated that the UN’s SDGs have been incorporated because of their focus on areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet as outlined in the 5 Ps, namely; People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. “We believe the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement and by extension, the Ghana Garden and Flower Show, can help in creating and sustaining the attitudes and behaviours that facilitate this new framework for global development” she indicated.

Ms. Esther Cobbah, emphasised that “ecotourism was chosen as the focus because the Show aims at drawing more attention to the income generation, health and aesthetic benefits of Ghana’s Floriculture and Horticulture as well as draw attention to the country’s natural tourism sector”.

UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mrs. Christine Evans-Klock, who launched the 2016 Show, stated that the holistic perspective that the Garden and Flower Show has adopted “is exactly what is reflected in the ambitious sustainable development agenda 2030 adopted by the nearly 200 Heads of State at UN Headquarters last September”, she said.

The UN Resident Coordinator stated that; “the UN is supporting government, planning authorities and Ministries, practitioners at all levels of government, the private sector and communities to find ways to pursue this kind of mutually reinforcing approach for achieving the sustainable development agenda”.

Mrs. Evans-Klock therefore commended Stratcomm Africa and its partners for their approach and for taking the initiative to popularise the 5Ps related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and “seizing their transformative potential to end extreme poverty, boost economic growth and protect our planet”.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Nana Oduro Kwarteng, who chaired the event, expressed the commitment of the Ministry to partner with private sector initiatives as the Garden and Flower that Stratcomm Africa commenced a few years ago. “It is in sync with our domestic tourism initiative christened-Explore Ghana and the vision of the Ministry”, he noted.

He also commended the organisers for choosing ecotourism as the theme for this year’s show; “ecotourism is one of the fastest growing trends in the tourism industry worldwide and it represents a perfect balance between quality and quantity in tourism development and promotion”.

According to the organisers, this year’s edition of the show, which will be held at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park from the 8th to the 14th of September, will consist of an exhibition of various local and international flowers and garden accessories, workshops, a conference on ecotourism, and the 5 Ps of the UN SGDs and the second edition of the Ghana Garden and Flower Awards. Other exciting features of the show include the Fashion extravaganza, party in the park, Jazz night and a bouquet of other interesting activities.

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Editor’s Note

About the Ghana Garden and Flower Show

The Ghana Garden and Flower Show is a flagship activity of the innovative Ghana Garden and Flower Movement that was initiated with the first edition of the Show in August 2013. The movement seeks to create awareness among Ghanaians about the commercial, aesthetic and psychological benefits of horticulture and floriculture. It seeks to celebrate Ghana’s unique flora and fauna, whilst pointing people to the income generating and job creation opportunities inherent in them. Ultimately, the aim of the Show is to encourage the harnessing of our flora and fauna for national development and improved livelihoods.

About Stratcomm Africa

Stratcomm Africa is a total Communication, Reputation Management, Events Management and Research Agency specializing in evolving and implementing communications strategies for companies, individuals and governmental institutions in both national and international settings.

Stratcomm Africa is proudly collaborating with its partners to promote and deepen a Gardening and Flower culture in Ghana. Stratcomm Africa believes in using communications to stimulate socio-economic development. By organizing the Ghana Garden and Flower Show and promoting a Garden and Flower movement in Ghana, Stratcomm Africa is using its expertise to generate awareness among Ghanaians about available natural resources for livelihood enhancements and national development.

Stratcomm Africa is also facilitating information sharing, knowledge transfer, and skills development through its role in the Garden and Flower Show and its related conference and workshops.

Stratcomm Africa also employs the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement and Show, as a platform to reinforce Ghana’s position as a compelling investment and tourist destination through the promotion of beautiful Gardens and Flowers in Ghana. Vintage Events, a member of the Stratcomm Africa Group, manages the event.

About the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals, officially titled “transforming our world - the 2030 agenda for sustainable development”, includes a set of 17 sustainable development goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. All the 17 SDGs are connected to UNDP’s strategic plan focus areas: Sustainable Development, Democratic Governance and Peace Building and Climate and Disaster Resilience. They focus on areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet as outlined in what is known as the 5 Ps, namely; People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.

Media Contact:

Doris Anokyewaah Antwi

DAntwi@stratcomm-africa.com

0243145661

www.stratcomm-africa.com

www.gardenandflowergh.com