The Department of Crop Science of University of Cape Coast, UCC, has unveiled a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture Programme.

The new programme is aimed at equipping students with professional and innovative skills to support the accelerated development of the horticulture industry in Ghana.

It will also develop entrepreneurial skills among students, enhance their proficiency in managing horticulture-based business, and enable graduates contribute to policy formulation and implementation in the horticulture industry.

The Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Henry Degraft Acquah, unveiled the new programme approved by the Academic Board of UCC. He entreated senior high school graduates to enroll on the new programme.

Dean, School of Agriculture, Prof. Henry Degraft Acquah (centre)

Dean, School of Agriculture, Prof. Henry Degraft Acquah (centre)

A professor of Crop Science, Prof. Kingsley Taah, who gave an overview of the programme, observed that "none of the country's public universities currently offers a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture".

He noted there was a need for high-level specialist training programme that was aimed at developing a human resource base that was specialized and targeted at the horticultural industry.

The need, Prof. Taah indicated, had become pressing due to the diversification of export crops with increasing emphasis on horticultural produce, increased environmental development in urban and peri- urban areas and ecological degradation through mining that require restoration.

Prof. Kingsley Taah gaving an overview of the programme

Prof. Kingsley Taah giving an overview of the programme

"UCC's BSc Horticulture will fill this vacuum and help the country meet the ever-increasing demand for specialists in the various aspects of horticulture," he added.

Career Opportunities

Prof. Taah explained that there were a slew of job opportunities for students who would pursue BSc Horticulture and charged graduates of second cycle institutions to take advantage of it.

Apart from students employing themselves, he noted that beneficiaries of the BSc Horticulture could gain employment at both governmental and non-governmental establishments, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Parks and Gardens, Teaching and Research Institutions, financial institutions, among others.

"Our programme will also develop contemporary consultants in horticulture, ornamental horticulturists, florists, sports turf specialists, horticultural journalists, real estate developers," Prof. Taah told the audience, which included the newly-elected Vice-Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Julius Kofi Hagan.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC