Government targets measurable prosperity in tree crops sector – Eric Opoku

Government has set its sights on delivering measurable prosperity in Ghana’s tree crops sector, with a renewed focus on structured growth, value addition and investor confidence.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, made this known at the opening of the Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Accra, where he outlined sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the sector into a key driver of industrial expansion and rural development.

“Our objective is clear — to move from fragmented production to organized value chains; from raw export to industrial processing; and from untapped potential to measurable prosperity,” Hon. Opoku stated.

He explained that while the tree crops sector — comprising cashew, shea, rubber, coconut, oil palm and mango — has expanded over the years, its growth has largely been uncoordinated, limiting its full economic impact.

“For many years, Ghana’s tree crop sector expanded largely through private initiative and individual effort. Production increased, but coordination was limited. Regulation was weak, and value addition did not match potential,” the Minister said.

Structured Reforms Underway

According to Hon. Opoku, government under President John Dramani Mahama has taken a deliberate decision to reposition tree crops as “structured, regulated and investment-ready drivers of economic growth.”

Through the Tree Crops Development Authority, he said, the Ministry is strengthening regulatory oversight, improving data systems, enhancing compliance mechanisms and creating a predictable operating environment for investors and exporters.

“Regulation is not an obstacle to growth — it is the foundation of sustainability and investor confidence,” he emphasized.

The Minister added that policy implementation would be closely monitored to ensure tangible outcomes.

“Policy must translate into impact. We are committed to measurable delivery in seedling distribution, processing capacity expansion, compliance enforcement and farmer income improvement,” he said.

Boosting Productivity and Value Addition

Hon. Opoku disclosed that the Ministry is distributing certified early-yielding seedlings, strengthening extension services tailored to tree crop agronomy and establishing farmer training hubs across major production belts.

He also highlighted the promotion of nucleus-outgrower arrangements to ensure reliable raw material supply for processors and the development of traceability systems that meet international standards.

“Our commitment to value addition is unwavering. Ghana will not remain content with exporting raw cashew, raw shea nuts or unprocessed rubber,” he declared.

The shift toward processing and downstream manufacturing, he noted, will create jobs, increase rural incomes and boost foreign exchange earnings.

Farmers, Women and Youth Central to Agenda

The Minister stressed that farmers remain at the center of the transformation agenda, with women and youth expected to play leading roles in the sector’s growth.

“Women who play a dominant role in the shea sector and youth who are increasingly entering mango, cashew and oil palm value chains will remain central beneficiaries of this transformation,” he said.

Hon. Opoku further assured investors of government’s readiness to facilitate partnerships and remove bottlenecks.

“The Ministry of Food and Agriculture stands ready to coordinate and support responsible agribusiness investment. Ghana offers structured opportunity and strong political will at the highest level,” he noted.

The Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition 2026 is expected to catalyse partnerships, mobilise private capital and accelerate the country’s drive toward sustainable and measurable prosperity in the tree crops sector.