The government has committed approximately US$200 million to expand tree crop production in Ghana, with the cashew industry expected to receive a substantial share of the investment as the country seeks to deepen value addition and strengthen its position in international agricultural markets.
Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare announced the commitment at the closing gala dinner of the 2026 African Cashew Alliance Annual Cashew Conference and Expo on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
She said the investment would support increased production across the tree crop sector while strengthening value chains in areas where crops such as cashew have significant growth potential.
“The government of Ghana is committing approximately US$200 million to tree crop production, of which cashew stands to benefit substantially,” she said.
The commitment comes as Ghana seeks to expand the economic contribution of its tree crop sector by increasing production, processing and value addition, particularly for commodities with strong export potential.
Call for African cooperation
The Minister also called on African cashew-producing countries to deepen cooperation and reposition themselves as partners rather than competitors in the global market.
She identified Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania and Mozambique, among other major producing countries, and said greater collaboration among producers would be critical to building a more competitive African cashew industry.
“I entreat every delegation in this room from Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique and beyond to see one another not as competitors for the same export market, but as partners in an Africa cashew industry,” she said.
According to the Minister, stronger collaboration could help African producers improve their collective position in international markets while creating opportunities for greater value retention within the continent.
Investment opportunity
Ms Ofosu-Adjare further invited development partners and private investors to participate in the expansion of Ghana’s cashew value chain, particularly in areas requiring capital and technology.
She highlighted processing infrastructure, grading technology and certification as key areas where additional investment could help improve the sector’s competitiveness.
“To our development partners and investors, the door is open. Invest in our processing infrastructure, our grading technology and our certification, just to mention a few,” she said.
The government’s investment commitment forms part of broader efforts to develop Ghana’s tree crop sector beyond primary production by increasing processing capacity and value addition.
For the cashew industry, greater investment in processing and quality infrastructure could help strengthen the domestic value chain and improve the sector’s participation in international agricultural markets.
The Minister’s call for closer cooperation among African producers also reflects efforts to build stronger regional value chains and improve the continent’s collective competitiveness in the global cashew trade.
Source: businesspostonline
