Dr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has launched the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (GTCDP), a major initiative aimed at creating 20,000 jobs and benefiting over 52,000 farmers across the country.
The launch took place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City in Accra under the theme; Sowing the Seeds of the future: Unlocking Ghana’s Tree Crop Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Transfformation.
Funded by a $200 million credit facility from the International Development Association (IDA), with technical support from the World Bank, the project is poised to significantly boost Ghana’s agricultural sector.
In his remarks, Dr. Acheampong emphasized that the project would directly benefit cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber farmers by enhancing productivity and increasing the incomes of 52,775 farmers and their households.
“The project is projected to create approximately 20,000 jobs, at an investment of $4,200 per job,” Dr. Acheampong noted, adding that 60% of these opportunities will target women and youth.
“This initiative has the potential to revolutionize the value chains of cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber by connecting stakeholders across both upstream and downstream sectors.”
He further stated that 40% of the beneficiaries will be women from 11 districts spanning six regions: Western North, Eastern, Savannah, Bono, Bono East, and Eastern. The project will also aid five to ten input suppliers and set up ten nurseries, providing support through matching grants, technical assistance, and improved market access.
“An estimated 185 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the processing of cocoa, cashew, and coconut will also gain from this initiative,” Dr. Acheampong added.
He underlined that the project’s success would be measured not only by economic results but also by its positive impact on farmers’ lives and their communities.
He called on stakeholders to work together to build a resilient tree crop sector that benefits farmers, protects the environment, and promotes sustainable growth.
World Bank Country Director, Mr. Robert Taliercio O’Brien, lauded the GTCDP as a significant milestone in the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
“The launch of the GTCDP represents a pivotal moment in Ghana’s agricultural progress, promising improved livelihoods for farmers, economic growth, and sustainability in the tree crop sector,” Mr. O’Brien said.
He emphasized the importance of inclusive and sustainable growth.
“The World Bank is committed to ensuring that this project brings long-term, shared benefits to all Ghanaians. Together, we can develop a resilient, competitive, and sustainable tree crop industry that supports national development, job creation, and poverty reduction,” he added.
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam highlighted the project’s objective to expand the production of high-value tree crops such as cashew, cocoa, coconut, and rubber.
“By enhancing the production, processing, and export of these crops, we are broadening the agricultural sector’s economic base and creating sustainable livelihoods for millions of farmers, particularly in rural areas,” Dr. Adam stated.
He noted that the project would strengthen the economy’s resilience to climate change and global market fluctuations and reaffirmed the significance of the $200 million IDA credit facility in supporting key value chains with essential resources, expertise, and knowledge.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Hon. William Agyapong Quaittoo, emphasized the sector’s potential for economic diversification and sustainable growth.
He noted that while cocoa has been Ghana’s main cash crop and source of foreign exchange for over a century, challenges such as low productivity, poor quality, price volatility, limited financial access, and inadequate regulations have impeded growth and competitiveness.
“Despite these challenges, the tree crops sector in Ghana has substantial potential for growth and increased export revenue,” Hon. Quaittoo stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, also addressed the gathering, noting that the GTCDP aligns with COCOBOD’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance digital transformation, improve productivity through research and rehabilitation of diseased farms, and support cocoa co-operatives.
“The project will help small-scale and artisanal manufacturers increase value addition and create jobs in cocoa processing, while also protecting children and vulnerable groups in cocoa-growing communities,” Hon. Aidoo said.
He expressed commitment to the efficient implementation of the project, ensuring a lasting impact on the target communities.
Special Guest Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, Omanhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, described the GTCDP as a “game changer” for the agricultural sector.
He announced that the Akuapem Traditional Area would dedicate 2,000 acres of Kwamoso land for developing coconut and rubber plantations under the project.
“I personally commit to mobilizing traditional leaders, farmers, and local institutions to support education and training in modern farming techniques and sustainable tree crop management,” Oseadeeyo Akuffo III stated.
The Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project aims to be a transformative force, revitalizing the agricultural landscape, improving livelihoods, and bolstering resilience for long-term economic prosperity.