The Orange Growers Association (OGA) has officially launched its Ashanti Region Chapter, bringing renewed hope and structured support to orange growers across the region.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday, May 8, 2024, at the Wesley Methodist Church Conference Hall in Juaben Municipality, and attracted about 200 orange farmers from various districts in the Ashanti Region.
The launch was made possible with the support of OGA’s strategic partners, including Eastfield Farms, ANKAA Tropical Oranges, and Citriville, reinforcing the Association’s commitment to expanding its national footprint.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Juaben Traditional Area and Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otumfuo Siribuo II, the Apegyahene of Juaben, Nana Osei Busumuru, commended OGA’s leadership for establishing the Ashanti Region Chapter at a critical time for citrus farmers.
He noted that many orange growers continue to face challenges such as post-harvest losses and limited market access, and encouraged farmers to fully embrace the Association for their collective growth.
“Juaben is ready and willing to host the Ashanti Regional Office of the Orange Growers Association,” he stated, adding that the area is home to some of Ghana’s finest farmers.
Speaking at the event, Nana Yaw Baffour Frimpong, President of the Orange Growers Association, reaffirmed OGA’s unwavering commitment to supporting its members across the citrus value chain.
He outlined key benefits available to members, including:
- Ready and reliable markets for produce
- Access to farm inputs and implements
- Capacity-building and training
- End-to-end supply chain support
According to him, the Ashanti Region Chapter will strengthen farmer coordination and improve productivity and incomes.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr. Alex K. Adu Gyamfi, called on government to integrate orange production into Ghana’s flagship agricultural programmes, citing the crop’s strong economic and nutritional value.
He also encouraged parents to promote orange consumption among school children to boost vitamin C intake and improve overall health.
The launch attracted key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Speakers at the event included representatives from Eastfield Farms, ANKAA Tropical Oranges, Citriville, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), as well as traditional leaders and farmer representatives.
Notable contributors included Papa Yaw Ntiforo (Eastfield Farms), Malcolm Senanu (ANKAA Tropical Oranges), Theodore Tsidi Kloba (Citriville), Freeman Adomako (MoFA), and Nana Biribireba Boateng, among others.
As part of the launch activities, participating farmers received hands-on training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for citrus orchards. A team of experts led by Dr. Andrews Opoku of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) facilitated the session, equipping farmers with practical skills to improve yields and orchard management.
The launch of the Ashanti Region Chapter marks another milestone in OGA’s expansion strategy to build a strong, organized, and competitive citrus sector across Ghana.
The event and its impact on the citrus industry were also covered by Daily Graphic, reflecting growing national interest in OGA’s work.
OGA continues to call on farmers, partners, and institutions to collaborate in transforming Ghana’s orange industry and improving livelihoods across rural communities.
