The highly anticipated 2024 Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS) officially opened today at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra, drawing gardening enthusiasts, environmentalists, and nature lovers from across the country and beyond.

This year’s theme, “GREENOVATION: Green the Nation, Feed the Nation, Grow the Nation,” emphasises the role of innovation in tackling global challenges like climate change, environmental degradation, and food insecurity.

For over a decade, the Ghana Garden and Flower Movement (GGFM), spearheaded by Strategic Communication Africa Limited (Stratcomm Africa), has been a driving force in promoting the potential of floriculture, horticulture, and agriculture to transform Ghana socially and economically.

The flagship event, GGFS, has become a major platform for flower and plant businesses, enthusiasts, and stakeholders to push for sustainability and climate action.

With climate change posing increasing threats to Ghana’s floriculture and horticulture sector—vital for food security and sustainability—this year’s show seeks to expand participation in horticulture and encourage home gardening to enhance food security as the country aims for food self-sufficiency by 2029.

“Recent weather disruptions, like those that affected our February show, are reminders of the vulnerabilities we face. But it also reinforces the critical role of this movement in fighting these challenges,” said Sharon Amin, marketing manager at Stratcomm Africa.

Amin outlined exciting activities for the 2024 show, including Gardening Masterclasses on urban and climate-resilient gardening, and a workshop on creating home irrigation systems, scheduled for the 23rd and 28th of September.

Additionally, the highly anticipated Green to Riches Youth Conference will take place on the 27th of September, spotlighting opportunities for young people in green enterprises, showcasing agricultural innovations, and sharing success stories to inspire the next generation of green entrepreneurs.

The Little Green Fingers program, aimed at teaching children the importance of plants and environmental conservation, will be held on multiple days throughout the event, including the 23rd, 27th, 28th, and 29th of September.

“The Efua Sutherland Book Stroll combines the love of reading and nature throughout the week,” Amin added. “Other activities include a Drama Night, Music Night, and our signature Petal Tossing Ceremony, which will close the 2024 edition of the show.”

Amowi Sutherland-Phillips, daughter of the park’s namesake, Dr. Efua Sutherland, stressed the importance of preserving the park’s legacy.

“The name on this park only holds meaning when we give attention to Efua Sutherland’s vision: to secure this space as a symbol of Ghana’s dedication to its children for generations to come,” Sutherland-Phillips noted.

“Her vision for the 21st century is of a green, vibrant, culturally grounded, well-managed park—an oasis we can be proud of, alongside our other national heritage markers in Accra.”

She also emphasized the importance of community involvement in rejuvenating the park: “It will take a sustained communal effort to bring this space back even better than before.

"Everyone who participates in the GGFM and Show, in any capacity, helps us move toward that goal. The Sutherland family admires and commends you, and we wish you a truly successful show this week.”

As the 2024 GGFS unfolds, it promises to not only celebrate the beauty of nature but also foster innovation and sustainability in horticulture for the benefit of future generations.