Opening ceremonies
Nov 18, 2015
ACCRA, GHANA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a week-long Agribusiness Trade Mission to Sub-Saharan Africa here, setting up meetings with local entities interested in establishing trade relations with U.S. companies. The U.S. delegation, led by USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and including USA Rice and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, is the largest ever to visit West Africa.
Secretary Harden spoke at today’s opening ceremony as did local ministers from Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria.
Tomorrow’s agenda includes a cooking competition, part of the USA Rice lead Global Based Initiative (GBI) activity, where foodservice professionals will vie to prepare the best dish using U.S. rice, poultry, and peanuts. The aim of the event is to increase usage of these products and generate positive media coverage on local TV, radio, and press.