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On October 19^th, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, has awarded the Gratias Agit award to Dr. Karl Ayikai Laryea, the CEO of Knights a.s.

The prestigious Gratias Agit award has been awarded annually since 1997 to prominent personalities and non-governmental organizations, regardless of their nationality. It serves as a governmental token of appreciation for their commitment, efforts, and long-term activities that span beyond the scope of their professional duties, yet selflessly benefit society while contributing to the promotion of the good name of the Czech Republic internationally, helping its visibility and favorable image, and deepening the interest in Czechia abroad.

In his speech, Minister Lipavský acknowledged and appreciated the fact that the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic made it possible to finally present the awards to this year’s laureates in person: “It’s a great privilege to personally, face-to-face thank you for your hard work, passion, and determination with which you spread the good name of the Czech Republic in the world.”

Dr. Laryea has joined the exclusive group of only 350 people and organizations that have received the award, being the first African-born laureate. The award, which includes a diploma and a crystal globe, is the only statutory prize awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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During the third week of August, we installed technology used for processing various tropical fruits in Sunyani, Ghana. This is a small-capacity production, that will be used both for fruit processing by farmers around the world, but also for practical training of students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, who have already been involved in the installation and testing. It is the first machine of its kind in the entire Brong Ahafo region. The technology has been designed to handle a wide range of tropical crops, which has also been proven in the trial operation during which mainly citruses, mangos, and pineapples were processed. The resulting product was always 100% pure juice packaged in bag-in-boxes. Our juice, due to pasteurization, was no longer required to be preserved chemically.

A trouble-free trial operation is a promise for the future for all stakeholders. For our company, it is a commitment to further expand this production unit. In the future, we plan on an extension: a separate mango processing line, as mangos are one of the main fruit crops in the area. Also, expanding the baking section is being considered, as it’s currently being manually handled and thus it is the largest capacity constraint.

In conjunction with our pilot delivery of the GLOBAL multi-purpose mini tractors to the Northeast of Nigeria, we held an official presentation of this technology in Abuja on May 24th, 2017, for the representatives of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative. On the Czech side, the event was supported by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, PhDr. Pavel Mikeš, represented by Mgr. Beata Matusikova – an economic diplomat at the Czech Embassy in Abuja.

All the participants greatly appreciated the surprising performance of the Czech tractors as well as the wide range of accessories useful for local farmers and declared that this technology, which has been specially adjusted to African conditions, can greatly help with the necessary development of agriculture not only in northeastern Nigeria.

The event was recorded by the national press and television.

On Thursday, May 5, 2016, we opened our new headquarters in Dolní Břežany with the participation of our business partners and dear guests. The act of the ceremonial opening and cutting of the tape itself was undertaken by the Ghanaian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Her Excellency Zita Sabah Okaikoi, together with the Mayor of Dolní Břežany, Ing. Věslav Michalik, CSc.

The Czech ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency JUDr. Margita Fuchsová, was present through the very nice and encouraging message she sent:

“We wish your company success not only in the Czech Republic but also in Ghana. You are a great example of the combination of Czech and Ghanaian know-how, resulting in projects that contribute to the development of the Ghanaian industry and agriculture and the employment of the population, as well as to the steady growth of the Czech-Ghanaian relationship. You are also an example for other Czech companies, as you clearly prove that there is still a place for Czech businesses in Ghana and that it is possible to succeed in this competitive field. The Czech Embassy in Accra is proud of your work and all results, which it has been long supporting, and we will always be willing to assist you in the future: after all, who else than the modern “knights of Dolní Břežany”!
Sincerely – Gita Fuchsová, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Accra”

During the opening ceremony, guests could not only see the offices and other premises of the new building but also several samples of the technologies we export to various African countries.

We believe this major step forward will allow for further growth and development of our company and mutual cooperation with our business partners in Europe and Africa.