The Coordinator of FTGN, Mr. Felix Ayambire gave the welcome remarks with Mrs. Florence Blankson, the President of FTGN giving the opening remarks where she warmly welcomed all present.
Presentations on Fair trade and SPP
Mr. Kwame Banson, an independent consultant and a member of FTGN’s advocacy committee provided the background and evolution of Fairtrade in Ghana. Dr. Jonathan Lanidune, the Programmes manager of Fairtrade Africa provided the background and activities of Fairtrade Africa. Mr. Koffi Djadde, the Coordinator of the SPP based in Togo also made a presentation of the SPP label; an intercontinental network of ecological small-producer organizations created to give small producers globally, values, and a proper identity in the Fair trade system.
Benefits of Fairtrade Premium
Madam Deborah Osei Mensah, the manager of Asunafo North Cocoa Cooperative Union, Madam Juliet Aku-Mensah of Volta River Estates Limited and Madam Esther Amuzu of Kuapa Kokoo cooperative Union made presentations on the benefits of Fairtrade and the premiums. Two student beneficiaries from VREL also spoke on the benefits they were receiving through the Fairtrade Premiums.
Video documentaries of member-POs were displayed on the giant screen in the conference for all present to view while products from Kuapa Kokoo, HPW Fresh and dry, TradeAid Integrated and ACOPPs & AMOPPA organic producers and exporters limited were being exhibited.
Solidarity Messages
The Executive Director of the Kosmos Innovation Centre, Mr. Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Mrs. Olivier Okailey-Okine from the National Communications Authority, Professor Kaddje, the dean of students of the Pentecost University, Nana Kwesi, the coordinator of the Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform and Mr. Bawuah the Ashanti regional director of the Department of Cooperatives all gave solidarity messages by expressing their gratitude for the invitation as well as their commitment for deepened partnership.
Panel Discussion
Mr. Banson, Mr. Kyamasi of Nyame Akwan Citrus farmers Association, Madam Esther Amuzu of Kuapa Kokoo Union and Dr. Lanidune of FTA discussed the prospects and challenges of trading fair and in the global South. Participants were given the opportunity to probe further on the issues being discussed and on the whole fair trade concept.
Press Release
With the president of FTGN as the leader of the group, a Press Release (Position Paper) on the destruction of the farm lands was made. Various media houses were present to capture this press release and the entire program activity which was subsequently published on other media outlets. The program ended at 2:30pm with closing remarks by Mr. Gideon Bokomi, Vice President, FTGN
