The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Denis Aheto, has hosted a delegation from the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) at his office.
The team is currently on a field trip in Ghana as part of the AREA Africa Project.
The “AREA Africa Ghana project” is part of Italy’s international cooperation programme under the Mattei Plan for Africa, within the Action for the Strengthening of Agro-Food Ecosystems in Africa (AREA), co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
The delegation, comprising Dr. Robin Moon, Viola Capriola, and Dr. Selorm Akaba (UCC), was on campus to validate a baseline study conducted for the project, advance the objectives of Action A3.2 of the AREA Africa Project, and lay the groundwork for the establishment of a farmers' market.
According to the Ghana Focal Person, Dr. Selorm Akaba, the farmers' market initiative forms part of the project's broader focus on multifunctional agriculture, which recognises agriculture as having economic, social, and tourism-related dimensions in addition to production.
He explained that the project sought to move beyond agricultural production by exploring other functions of agriculture, including farmers' markets, agrotourism, and agro-processing within agrifood ecosystems.
Dr. Akaba stressed that the project’s emphasis on farmers' markets was intended to complement agricultural production by creating platforms that connect farmers with consumers while supporting other social and economic activities within communities.
He said the collaboration would strengthen efforts to promote multifunctional agriculture and create opportunities for farmers and other stakeholders to benefit from a more integrated agricultural development approach.
For his part, the Vice-Chancellor welcomed the delegation and expressed the University’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture, research and community development.
Prof. Aheto noted that UCC, through its expertise in research, teaching and community engagement, was well positioned to contribute to projects that sought to address challenges within Africa’s agricultural and food systems.
He also underscored the importance of linking agricultural production to markets, noting that initiatives such as the farmers' market could provide farmers opportunities to reach consumers while creating additional economic and social benefits for communities.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration would deepen the University’s engagement with local and international partners and contribute to practical solutions for sustainable agricultural development.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
