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Former Ambassador to China, Dr. Charles Dwamena aka Dr. China, has called for critical attention to the beekeeping industry to provide powerful policy measures to support the development of apiculture in Ghana.
Such attention, he said, is also needed to improve the level of social cognition in the value of bee pollination as the industry remains an important component of modern agriculture and providing essential services for agricultural production.
“It is paramount for stakeholders in Ghana’s honey market to invest more in research that holistically determines the economic and social value of the sector to the extent where such data can influence and shape government’s policy positions,” he said.
Speaking at the World Bee Day on the theme, “Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees,” in Accra, Dr. Dwamena noted that with almost 20,000 different species of bees in the world, the insect does not only contribute to the pollination of wildflowers but also agricultural crops.
According to him, bees as pollinators provide a service that boosts harvest size and quality, create value for farmers, and drive global food supply.
He disclosed that every season, pollination from honey bees, native bees, and flies deliver billions of dollars in economic value and indicated that the chocolate industry, valued at over US$100 billion depends on pollinating flies like the little midge.
Dr. China, however, lamented that bees and other pollinating insects are declining in numbers and becoming endangered because of factors such as land-use changes, habitat loss, pesticide application and climate change.
He said, “World Bee Day, therefore, provides an opportunity for all of us to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping in Ghana.”
“It is paramount for stakeholders in Ghana’s honey market to invest more in research that holistically determines the economic and social value of the sector to the extent where such data can influence and shape government’s policy positions.”
Honey, he said, is an excellent source of numerous nutritional ingredients including vitamins, minerals, calcium, and antioxidants and has several medicinal properties that can help improve metabolic activities, maintain blood pressure levels, reduce the risk of diabetes, and even heal burn wounds.
He disclosed that the global honey market size was valued at an estimated US$9.21 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of between 5.2% to 8.2% by 2028 with a revenue forecast of around US$17.34 billion.
Dr. China noted, however, that in order for Ghana to develop and grow the honey industry and benefit from this growing global market, systems must be set up for monitoring pollinators and pollination services at the national level and warned that without such data it will remain hard to target conservation measures and foresee problems.
He charged Ghanaians to conserve the country’s biodiversity and ecosystem and unite behind the President and government in the fight against forest degradation in all forms.
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Frontpageghana.com/Ghana
