HBC 2025 Closing Ceremony: Celebrating Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration in Horticulture

Last Friday, 24th October 2025, we wrapped up the 3rd Edition of the Horticulture Business Challenge (HBC) with a memorable closing ceremony at the GNBCC Gardens. The event brought together the program participants, project team, GNBCC members, business leaders, and key stakeholders for an evening of networking, celebration, and collaboration and to connect with the incredible pool of emerging professionals shaped through this year’s program.

Over the past two months, the 18 participants went through an intensive journey, including over eight workshops on soft skills, professional etiquette, research, and more; hands-on field visits with Pure and Just Foods and Holland GreenTech; and full-week internships at their matched companies, where they implemented practical solutions to real business challenges.

This year’s participating companies were: Rosswood Company Ltd, Chocoluv Company Ltd, Winter Foods Ltd, FarmMates Africa, AN Foundation, and Fortune Coffee.

Beyond the training and internships, participants benefited from personal and group coaching sessions led by dedicated coaches Joana Chemel and Susanne Afum Roelofsen. These sessions guided participants through personal professional planning, teamwork, and personal growth frameworks. Coming from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, the participants worked toward a shared goal: to solve pressing business challenges while developing their skills and confidence for the future.

The HBC Closing Ceremony marked the culmination of this transformative journey: a moment to celebrate achievements, present final business solutions, and announce this year’s winners. The event was lively and engaging, with strong participation from the horticulture and business community, who interacted with the participants, asked questions, and explored opportunities for collaboration.

During the evening, GNBCC’s General Manager, Hilde Famaey, congratulated the graduating class, commending their dedication to adding value and contributing to a stronger, more sustainable horticulture sector in Ghana.

Company representatives also shared positive feedback, expressing their appreciation for the participants’ innovative ideas and commitment to addressing real industry challenges.

The highlight of the evening was the award ceremony, where teams presented their implemented solutions to a jury comprising Barnabas Apom, Senior Project Manager at GNBCC, and HBC alumni Joshua and Georgina. After careful deliberation, the Chocoluv Company team emerged as the overall winner of HBC 2025! 

A special award was also presented to an outstanding participant who demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and growth throughout the program.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates of completion, handed out by Hilde Famaey and Catherine Krobo Edusei, CEO of Eden Tree, followed by an evening of networking and celebration.

We invite you to meet this year’s outstanding participants here – explore their profiles, to connect, collaborate, or learn more about their work and aspirations.

Together, we continue to nurture talent, inspire innovation, and grow the future of Ghana’s horticulture sector.