The Fifth Edition of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair officially opened on Monday, 1st September 2025, and will run until Friday, 5th September 2025, with a call to transform the agricultural sector through strategic investment, innovation, and collaboration. It is being held at Jackson Park in Koforidua under the theme “Shaping the Future of Agricultural Industrialization through Strategic Investment.”
The Regional Minister, Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, in a speech read on her behalf, highlighted the progress made in the region, which she credited to government interventions and stakeholder collaboration for increased yields in key commodities. She added that the region’s agricultural potential, ranging from fruits and cereals to livestock and tree crops, is immense and largely untapped.
“We are blessed with arable lands, a favorable climate, and a youthful population. What remains is a strategic investment to unlock these opportunities,” the Minister said.
On climate change and growing food security concerns, Mrs. Awatey stressed the urgent need for a shift from subsistence farming to a modernized, industrialized agricultural model that would focus on value addition, technology adoption, and robust market systems.
According to her, agricultural industrialization is not a luxury but a necessity that bridges the gap between raw potential and real prosperity. She described the theme as timely and thought-provoking, reaffirming the critical role of investment in shaping the future of agriculture in the region.
The Regional Director of Agriculture, Hajia Habiba Yusufu, said the fair has evolved into a powerful platform not just for showcasing agricultural products but also for building vital market linkages and encouraging knowledge-sharing across the agricultural value chain.
She emphasized the transformation the fair has undergone over the years from a basic exhibition to a hub that connects farmers, processors, agribusinesses, and consumers. According to her, the event has become a critical space for fostering innovation, building partnerships, and enhancing market access, especially for smallholder farmers.
Hajia Yusufu noted that the fair has grown into more than just a platform to showcase products, but also strengthens market linkages, facilitates innovation, and provides opportunities for knowledge-sharing that benefit the entire agricultural ecosystem.
The Chief of Akuapem-Adukrom, Osuodumgya Otutu Ababio V, urged participants to take full advantage of the fair to network and learn new skills to help expand their agribusinesses. He said the future of agriculture in the region depends on a united effort to invest in innovation, digital tools, value chains, and youth participation. He added that agriculture is not just about feeding ourselves but also about building a sustainable future, saying the investments made today will shape the agricultural economy for the next generation to inherit.
More than 200 participants, drawn from all 33 municipalities and districts, are expected to partake in the event and deliver outcomes that will foster deeper collaboration, inspire agribusiness growth, and drive sustainable development in the region and beyond.