Mahama signals major agribusiness expansion drive at tree crops summit

President John Dramani Mahama has signaled a major expansion drive in Ghana’s agribusiness sector, placing tree crops at the center of the country’s economic transformation agenda.

Speaking at the inaugural Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition 2026, President Mahama described the initiative as a strategic move to boost production, create jobs, and expand Ghana’s export base.

“This summit is not merely ceremonial — it is strategic,” he said. “It reflects a central commitment of the NDC’s 2024 Manifesto to reset Ghana’s economy by strengthening productive sectors, expanding export capacity, creating decent jobs, and positioning agriculture as a driver of industrial transformation.”

The President highlighted cocoa’s historic role in Ghana’s economy but stressed the need for diversification. “For decades, agriculture has contributed about 21 percent to our GDP, and cocoa has been our pride,” he said. “But Ghana must move from dependence to diversification. Climate shocks, global price volatility, and environmental stress demand that we broaden our agricultural base. Tree crops are central to this vision.”

Mahama identified six priority tree crops — cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea — as engines of growth. “These are not secondary crops,” he emphasized. “They provide jobs, promote gender inclusion, strengthen rural economies, and are vital to our strategy for inclusive growth.”

A cornerstone of the expansion drive is the $500 million Red Gold initiative, aimed at developing 100,000 hectares of oil palm and creating 250,000 direct jobs. “If we achieve this target, it will eliminate the 40 percent oil palm imports we currently rely on and position Ghana as a net exporter,” he said.

The President also pledged to end the export of raw tree crops while expanding local processing capacity. “We will no longer export raw cashew, raw shea, or unprocessed rubber while importing the same finished products at higher prices,” he said. “Our target is clear: 50–60 percent local processing annually, expansion of agro-industrial parks, incentives for private-sector processors, and stronger regulatory oversight.”

President Mahama further linked the agribusiness expansion to Ghana’s $12 billion annual export ambition by 2035. “Yes, it is ambitious,” he said. “But it is achievable — if each of you participates in growing and processing these crops. The resetting agenda is about production, jobs, exports, value addition, and inclusive growth.”

The President concluded by urging investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Ghana’s agribusiness sector, describing tree crops as a pathway to both economic and ecological transformation.

“Let this summit mark the turning point at which Ghana decisively shifts from raw exports to industrial processing, from vulnerability to resilience, and from promise to performance,” he said.