Many Ghanaians on social media have been reveling in the news that a supposed apple tree planted in Ghana’s Ashanti region has now bore fruits.
The tree was planted five years ago and has just started bearing fruits, according to local media.
Ghana is not known for growing apple and almost all apple fruits sold in the Ghanaian market are imported.
So with the news of an apple tree planted five years ago now bearing fruits, it appears to be a story that excites many who hope Ghana could now consider going into mass apple production.
A social media user posted pictures of the apple tree and the fruits on it on twitter and said “Growing up, we were told this tree can only survive outside Ghana but thanks be to God this Apple tree is producing it’s first fruit after five years it was cultivated in WIAMOASE – ASHANTI.”
Growing up, we were told this tree can only survive outside Ghana but thanks be to God this Apple tree is producing it’s first fruit after five years it was cultivated in WIAMOASE – ASHANTI.
It is feasible, you can grow Apple in Ghana ???????? no need for import.
Piawwwww!!! pic.twitter.com/jkmFalq88s
— Kingdom of Asante (@Ashanti_Kingdom) May 17, 2020
“Sadly! The young lady who planted the Apple seed died just after the seed started growing, the Apple tree is yielding fruits now for all to see. This is called Legacy! This is the fruit of her labour,” the social media user also wrote.
A live video on the Apple tree. It is true! pic.twitter.com/ltzs5mxC95
— Kingdom of Asante (@Ashanti_Kingdom) May 17, 2020
Local news outlet Joy FM reported that largely, it is believed that apple cannot be cultivated properly in Ghana due to climate and soil.
Residents in the community are now asking officials to examine the tree and consider making seeds available for mass production.
But scientists are yet to confirm if indeed the tree is that of apple or another species.
Ghana however is well known for producing cash crops like Cocoa, Mango and Cashew, adding Apple could create more jobs for many.
Social media reaction
On social media Ghanaians have been expressing their joy.
Wowww this is good news…..ghana can literally do everything,
— KASOA_KANYE WEST??? (@kwabenaHogg) May 17, 2020
Woooow, that’s interesting to know. Ghana is so blessed with a fertile land, but growing up, our teachers made it look like weeding, and for that matter farming is a punishment. We get money from the bush,and spend it in the cities. God bless our Homeland Ghana and make us great.
— VICTORIOUS COLLINS (@victoriouscoll2) May 17, 2020
I’m sure is a cash crop like Cocoa, mango and cashew. So after maturity, you can harvest it seasonally for long time. It’s worth considering the price of one Apple, is expensive than a pod of cocoa.
— Sir Alex ??♂️?? (@Onipanua_) May 17, 2020
In Africa the top countries that produce and export apple include, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Madagascar.
Zimbabwe and Kenya also rank high on the list of countries in Africa that produce apple.
Source: Africafeeds.com
