Coconut, even though prominent and nutritious tree crop has been underestimated and sidelined in the country. A Cursory look at its health and economic benefits from the stem to the leaves reveal much about it including but not limited to coconut water, coconut milk, coconut oil,…el Cetera. In terms of economic benefits, it overrides most of the respected cash crops the country has earmarked.
Upon its astronomical economic importance as well as health benefits necessitated the African Coconut Group and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) and Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture over the weekend christened 21st September as the World Coconut Day at Aburi after a successful health walk from Ayi Mensah to Kitase to usher the 1st ever International Coconut Festival on 24th September 2019.
During the launch, the Chairman for African Coconut Group, Farmer Davies Korboe expounded the need for the world to have a special day to celebrate Coconut. “Coconut is a very vital tree crop that has been neglected for ages. Its monetary benefits alone are very remarkable then to talk about its health benefits. However, a day needs to be set aside to provide education to everyone on the need to venture into coconut production and the health benefits to consume coconuts”, Chairman averred.
He proceeded on to encourage each and everyone to contribute their quota by cultivating Coconut across the country since coconut does well on every part of the nation, Ghana. He urged the youth to venture into coconut production which can help them amass wealth and in so far mitigate the menace of unemployment as well as poverty amongst the youth in the country.
Speaking to Agric Today, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Eric Kwakye Darfuor said 21st September has come to stay as International Coconut Day to project Coconut to every corner of the globe. He expedited how the government under the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) would support the farmers to patronize in Coconut production.
He also seized the opportunity and appealed to the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to encourage their members to establish factories to meet the production from the coconut sector. He explained that there are a lot of benefits right from the root to the branches of the Coconut tree.
The acting public relations director, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Madam Ruth Marfo expatiated the benefits of coconut to the country and the need to champion this course.
In international front she said, coconut could generate foreign exchange even more than what acclaimed cash crops like cocoa is giving to the nation, Ghana. She espoused African Coconut Group and coconut farmers that GEPA would give its maximum corporation to make International Coconut Day remarkable so that coconut can earn foreign exchange as cocoa has permeated into the international markets.
