The Movement was recognised for its pioneering role and significant strides it has made in promoting the importance of gardens and flowers through innovative Ghana Garden and Flower Show.

Mr Kwabena Akuamoah Agyekum, Executive Director, CIMG presenting the Awards commended Stratcomm Africa and the Movement not only for initiating and sustaining the event but growing it for six years.

Ms Esther A. N Cobbah, the Chief Executive Officer, Stratcomm Africa expressed the delight in the recognition and thanked stakeholders, who believed in the initiative and supported it to grow to this level.

The Annual Ghana Garden and Flower Show is the flagship activity of the Movement, which seeks to create awareness among Ghanaians about the commercial, aesthetic health and psychological benefits of horticulture and floriculture.

It also seeks to celebrate Ghana’s unique flora and fauna, whilst pointing people to the income generating and job creation opportunities inherent in them.She said the awards just communicates to her that hard work pays and that the country was serious about conserving its environment and tapping the potential of God’s given resources to grow the economy.

“We cannot have come this far without the generous support of various stakeholders, especially our sponsors and partners and the Movement is encouraged by this recognition and remains more determined than ever to sustain the awareness we have been creating concerning the value of gardens and flowers for Ghana.

“We must all work together to protect our environment and grow more flowers to achieve a greener, healthier, wealthier, more beautiful Ghana, and contribute to the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

She said the flora and fauna were amazing resources that provides opportunities for job creation for the younger generation, while solving the unemployment situation of the country.

Ms Cobbah said there was the need to educate Ghanaians about the horticulture, flora and fauna industry on its potential benefits in promoting foreign exchange for the country.She called on stakeholders, especially the media to help educate the citizenry on the importance of the industry, adding that, “if we want to achieve Ghana beyond aid, I think we should also concentrate on the floriculture and the horticulture industry”.

The Garden Flower Show since its inception has grown tremendously with participation increasing from 14 exhibitors and 1,400 visitors in 2013 to 139 exhibitors and over 16,000 visitors in 2017. This year more than 20,000 visitors and close to 150 exhibitors participated in the event.