Ho, Volta Region – Following the successful two editions of the Agricultural Industrialization Conferences (AIC) exclusively organized by TIAST Group in collaboration with Stanbic Bank, the 3rd edition took place on 3rd February 2020 at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho.
The AIC is a series of conferences with the aim to inform and educate players in Ghana’s agricultural value chain sector. With partnerships from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), and the Ghana Exports Promotions Authority (GEPA), the 3rd edition witnessed official representatives from governmental institutions.
Mrs. Josephine Dzotsi, Volta and Oti Regional Director for MoTI during the Conference, highlighted one of the government’s ongoing flagship programs, Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ). In as much as the PFJ initiative will increase employment, revenue and boost investments, its primary objective is to improve the country’s agricultural sector. The PFJ will also increase demands from local and international markets in accordance with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA).
The Regional Head of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Mr. Amponsah Sackey spoke briefly on the collaboration between the two parties, TIAST Group and GEPA. He also commended TIAST Group for their initiative to boost the country’s agricultural sector and assured GEPA’s willingness to drive export growth for the Country through their partnership.
Touching on the services offered by TIAST Group, Business Development Executives of the firm, Miss Priscilla Fiati and Mr. Augustine Esamoah elaborated on the Technical and Off-take Services respectively. During Miss. Fiati’s presentation, she lamented on the challenges of Ghana’s agricultural industrialization sector despite its manufacturing potentials. With no qualified technicians to repair machines in case of a breakdown, lack of spare parts, and after-sales services, production is mostly delayed for most processing lines.
The TIAST technical service which is centred on localization and standardization provides the best solution to this issue. Designing and manufacturing of world-class processing machinery, series of training, and the local supply of spare parts among others will be implemented through the localization and standardization plans of the Company, she said.
According to Mr. Augustine Esamoah, the Off-take service provided by TIAST Group will maximize profit in the agricultural industry due to the high demand of cassava starch on the world market, particularly in China. The structural plan for the Off-take service of TIAST Group is to acquire processed starch from factories under TIAST Group and directly sell them on the Chinese market. This service, he said, will go a long way to solve the market demand gap in the industry and entreated all to join the good works of TIAST Group to make the millions and billions.
The Guest Speaker for the Conference was Hon. Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister-Designate. During the event, he noted the government’s flagship program of PFJ, which is improving the country’s agricultural sector. He commended TIAST Group’s initiative of improving the nation’s agricultural sector.
The event attracted CEOs of agricultural firms, representatives of financial institutions, farmers, and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The Conference was held in the Emefa Auditorium of the Volta Serene Hotel.