Cashew Council Board inaugurated to transform sector

Ghana has inaugurated a 15-member board for the Cashew Council Ghana (CCG), the central body for the cashew value chain. The board's primary mission is to champion industry interests and drive growth in local processing, productivity, and investments. Its establishment in Fiapre, Bono Region, is seen as a pivotal step toward strengthening governance and competitiveness, with the goal of positioning Ghana as a major player in the global cashew market. The CCG aims to transform the sector by encouraging a shift from exporting raw nuts to developing value-added products, a move that could significantly boost job creation and industrial growth. Currently, the industry supports over 250,000 farmers and contributes substantially to foreign exchange, yet much of the output remains in raw form. The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah, emphasized the need for interventions such as promoting local processing investments, supporting farm rehabilitation, enhancing extension services, and improving market and financing access. He urged the new board to ensure all stakeholders, from farmers to researchers, feel represented. The sector faces numerous challenges, including low productivity, aging farms, inadequate processing facilities, climate change impacts, pests, and market fluctuations. Dr. Harry Bleppong from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture highlighted the importance of climate-smart production systems and agroforestry to build resilience. The council is expected to play a leading role in attracting investment and strengthening market linkages to unlock the industry's full potential.

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The establishment of the board is a major step towards strengthening governance, coordination and competitiveness within the cashew sector.