The site of a rice farm plagued by drought in the Volta Region.
The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) has revealed that rice production in the Volta Region of Ghana faces bleak consequences this year due to ongoing drought conditions which are disrupting production in some parts of the Region.
According to the body, farmers in the Akatsi North and South districts in the Volta Region have been gravely affected by poor rainfall patterns and are likely to lose their entire output for the 2021/2022 season.
“In Ketu South alone, over 700 hectares of rice have been lost to the drought. “The problem covers several areas including Kpoglu, Avalavi, Klenomadi and Avie in Ketu North, Akatsi in Akatsi South, Tongu Districts, Afadzato South District and Hohoe Municipal areas,” the President said.
This comes as a blow to the sector, which is an attempt to wean the country off rice importation by achieving self-sufficiency in production by 2025.
As if that is not enough, the affected farmers will have to wait till next year before they can earn some income.
Speaking to the reporter, President of GRIB Nana Agyei Ayeh II said some members of the farmers reached out to him to ascertain the situation and find a solution to the looming danger.
The President, together with some of the officials of the John A. Kufuor Foundation paid a working visit to the farms, and on their observation, several hectares of rice under cultivation are lost due to climate change and low levels of rainfall in these communities.
The woes of the farmers are further exacerbated by the huge investments they have already made in land preparation, seeds, and fertilizer.
However, the provisional production figures by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) indicate that about 973, 000 metric tonnes of rice were produced in Ghana in 2020. But, this figure could be hard to match in 2021 if the current situation persists.
Nana Agyei Ayeh II revealed that the existing dam structure which was built to harvest water to irrigate the farmlands is in a dire state of disrepair, leaving farmers at the mercy of the harsh weather conditions.
“We cannot continue with rain-fed agriculture. As you can see, this year, farmers have lost their investments simply because the rains failed them.
We would like to appeal to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide dugouts for these areas. These will aid in water conservations for the purposes of irrigation in such times like what we facing now” he added.
Cocoa prices experienced a significant increase over the past week due to weather concerns in West Africa.
The cash crop bounced from its 52-week low last week at the New York Exchange to settle at $7420 per ton.
Cocoa traded at a record high in December 2024 when it spiked to $12,646 per ton.
Excessive rainfall has hindered farmers in the Ivory Coast from cultivating cocoa and reduced the flow of cocoa from plantations to ports.
Additionally, the lack of rainfall in Ghana and Nigeria has caused cocoa pods to wither, damaging some crops.
Concerns over slow plant growth in the Ivory Coast and the spread of black pod disease in Ghana and Nigeria, caused by cold and dry weather in West Africa’s cocoa regions, led to cocoa prices reaching two-month highs last month.
The past 60 days have been the driest since 1979 for cocoa from West Africa, according to the Commodity Weather Group. Before the main crop harvest, which begins in October, the lack of rain may affect the retention of cocoa pods on trees. Worries about the quality of the mid-crop cocoa grown in the Ivory Coast, harvested through September, supported the cash crop’s prices.
Rabobank states that late rains in the region, which hindered crop growth, are partly responsible for the low quality of the mid-crop in the Ivory Coast. Typically starting in April, the mid-crop is the smaller of the two annual cocoa harvests.
Tighter cocoa inventories are also supporting prices as ICE-monitored cocoa stocks held in U.S. ports fell to a four-month low of 2,115,411 bags on Wednesday. The slowdown in the Ivory Coast’s cocoa exports is also a positive sign for prices.
Cocoa prices have come under pressure amid concerns that high tariffs and prices might reduce demand for chocolate.
Lindt and Sprüngli AG lowered its margin guidance for the year in July because of an unexpected drop in first-half chocolate sales. Additionally, citing consistently high cocoa prices, Barry Callebaut AG reduced its sales volume guidance in July for the second time in three months, expecting a decline in full-year sales volume.
The average Ivory Coast mid-crop estimate for this year is 400,000 MT, which is 9% less than the 440,000 estimate from the previous year. Nigeria, the fifth-largest cocoa producer in the world, produces less cocoa, which is another factor that supports cocoa.
Nigeria’s Cocoa industry sees increased exports and importation
According to the Nigerian Cocoa Association, the country’s cocoa production in 2025–2026 will drop -11 percent year over year to 305,000 MT from a projected 344,000 MT in 2024–2025. Nigeria’s June cocoa exports increased +0.9% year over year to 14,597 MT.
Nigeria achieved a significant milestone in its cocoa exports. The nation produced N1.23 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, a 220 percent increase over the N384 billion generated during the same period in 2024, according to a report by Norrenberger.
Nigeria’s imports of cocoa also increased. After the 2024–2025 season ended in July, Nigeria became the largest African importer of Cameroonian cocoa. The National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC) reports that the country imported 2,100 metric tons of cocoa beans, 1. 09% of Cameroon’s total national exports.
According to the ONCC’s 2024–2025 campaign review report, “Nigeria has significantly increased the volumes of Cameroonian-origin beans imported.” Africa only accounts for 1.13 percent of global shipments of Cameroonian cocoa, making it a marginal destination. Europe accounted for 79 percent of exports, with Asia coming in second at 18 percent. The recent rise in
Nigeria’s official imports indicate a move toward controlled trade, easing long-standing concerns about illegal flows that have hindered Cameroon’s cocoa industry for years. The Nigerian government has pledged to revitalize the nation’s cocoa sector and the entire agricultural value chain.
Vice President Kashim Shettima told a delegation from the World Cocoa Foundation that Nigeria is dedicated to transforming from a cocoa producer into a global cocoa processor. He noted that the establishment of a National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB) to support the sector’s resurgence has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
He stated that the government is committed to adding value through processing by supporting sustainable cocoa farming and forest preservation. “We have to act as we speak. Nigeria used to be one of the world’s top producers of cocoa, but oil changed our priorities. We can bring that glory back.”
According to Shettima, the president is committed to reviving cocoa and all agricultural value chains across Nigeria.
He added that global cocoa prices have skyrocketed, presenting Nigeria with an opportunity to reposition the sector through the Renewed Hope Agenda. He emphasized that Nigeria must start processing cocoa instead of just exporting raw beans.
The ICCO predicted a global cocoa surplus of 142,000 MT for 2024- 2025 on February 28, 2024, marking the first surplus in four years. Additionally, ICCO forecasted that global cocoa production would increase by + 7. 8% year over year to 4.84 MMT in 2024–2025.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has engaged the stakeholders in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the African Union Commission and ECOWAS Commission had engaged on sensitization and awareness creation on the newly adopted Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework (Kampala Declaration).
To welcome the stakeholders to the programme, the Executive Director, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Bismark Owusu Nortey said the gathering is to foster collaboration, and strengthen the role of non-state actors (NSAs) in shaping agricultural and agri-food systems policy in Ghana and across Africa.
He mentioned that for the two decades, the Maputo Declaration (2003–2014) and Malabo Declaration (2014–2025), revitalizing agriculture to reduce malnutrition and accelerating agricultural growth and transformation to achieve shared prosperity respectively has elapsed.
“As Africa approach the conclusion of the Malabo era, the African Union has adopted a new ten-year framework, ‘The Kampala Declaration (2026–2035)’, which embraces an agri-food systems approach”, he added.
According to him, the Kampala Declaration calls for multi-sectoral coordination, increased investment, and innovation to drive sustainable, resilient, and inclusive transformation. Its vision is bold: diversify economies, create millions of local jobs, raise incomes, and foster social cohesion and stability.
To achieve national goal of Ghana’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) with the Feed Ghana Program (FGP) as its core represents the latest policy direction. While it brings renewed hope and enthusiasm, it is also a moment for reflection, given our experiences with past initiatives.
“The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) serves as the overarching framework guiding the continent, ECOWAP as the regional guide, and our domestic policy the Feed Ghana Programme as the vehicle we will ride on towards agricultural success in Ghana”, Wepia Addo Awal Adugwuala, the National President Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) added
Although Ghana has been a dedicated signatory to the CAADP since 2003 by recognizing its power to transform the agricultural landscape, Ghana has been largely disappointing for fulfilling her CAADP commitments.
Giving statistics of Ghana’s commitments to CAADP over the years, he explained that the data from the 2023 ECOWAS Agriculture Joint Sector Report shows a declining trend in government allocation to agriculture: 6.2% in 2019, 5.7% in 2020, and 4.5% in 2021, averaging 5.5% over the period. In 2023 and 2024, the allocation further dropped to 1.95%, and in the 2025 budget, it fell to an all-time low of less than 1%.
However, he said with the introduction of the Feed Ghana Program, under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, presents a new opportunity and hope to change the narrative.
He commended the Minister for the instantaneous response to the farmers needs and called for immediate attention to resolve the post-harvest loss, inability to access formal credit, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, high costs of input, and poor marketing systems as the challenges affecting the smallholder farmers.
To crown it all, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku said the Malebo Declaration thus, CAADP aligned perfectly with the Feed Ghana Programme implemented with the focus of feeding the people of Ghana and the agro-industries.
Minister acknowledged the endowment of the agriculture potentials being land, water bodies, youthful population, market; Africa has a population estimate around 1.5b, and fortunately the headquarters of AfCFTA is in Ghana, however, quizzed why Ghana is importing food over $3b annually to supplement local production?
“It is time for us to put in place the necessary mechanisms to change the story so that we can boost food production, create sustainable employment for the youth and also gender sustainable growth,” Hon. Minister added.
With the Feed Ghana Programme and its modules, it is possible to achieve food sustainability, wealth creation and economic growth.
He called on the farmers especially the peasant farmers to comply with the modules to help support the government to achieve food security in the country.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku has distributed the 900 commandeered water pumping machines to the 9 selected regions in Ghana to enhance food production in Ghana.
The distribution took place at the Agriculture Engineering Services Directorate, under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture at Amrahia Daily Farm, Accra.
The Commandeered water pump to be distributed to the 9 beneficiary regions for irrigation to boost food production
Speaking at the donation he said the 900 water bumps were commandeered by the anti-galamsey task force across the galamsey sites and upon court ruling, the bumps should be used to enhance food production to support the implementation of Feed Ghana Agenda, hence the distribution of the pumps to the 9 regions.
According to the Minister, the 9 regions are the region where galamsey is not located, “We selected nine regions where galamsey or illegal mining cannot be found. We want to avoid the situation where after presenting these equipment you will them on the site again for galamsey activities so we carefully selected the beneficiary regions and all the nine regions that we are presenting these items to are the regions we can say that there are no illegal mining activities.
To ensure equal distribution of water pumps he said each region is receiving 100 water pump machines and these would be distributed to the farmer cooperatives called ‘Community Commodity Based Cooperatives.
“I have asked the farmers to constitute themselves into community commodity-based cooperatives so in all the regions we have the cooperatives there. We are handling them to the regional ministers, they will work with the regional directors of agriculture to determine the cooperatives that can take advantage of these items to increase food production in their various communities”, Hon. Eric Opoku said.
Water Pump Machines been loaded for distribution to the 9 beneficiary regions
To ensure safety usage of the water pumps machines by the farmers after the galamsey usage, Minister explained to Agric Today that the technical personnels have inspected the pumps and have assured of no contamination of the water pumps machines, hence they could be used for food production.
The beneficiary regions are Northen, Upper East, Upper West, Northeast, Savanah, Greater Accra, Volta, Oti and Bono East region.
The Tuba Irrigation Farmers Association is calling on the government to act urgently to rehabilitate the ageing Tuba Irrigation Scheme, which has served as a critical agricultural hub for over 40 years.
According to the association’s Vice Chairman, James Amankwanor Mensah, the deteriorating condition of the irrigation canals is threatening food production, jobs, and the survival of hundreds of farmers and labourers.
“The canals are choked, broken, and blocked by sand and debris. We keep spending money trying to fix them, but without proper rehabilitation, nothing changes. It’s unacceptable,” said Mr. Mensah in an interview with GhOne TV/Starr FM’s Hoenyefia Noah Nash during the reporter’s visit to the farm while harvesting of tomatoes.
He believes that a comprehensive renovation of the irrigation facility will result in higher crop yields, improved living standards, and a stronger local economy.
Farm Labourers: Farming is Our Lifeline
At the heart of the Tuba Irrigation Scheme are people like Sarah Addison and Afia Kamsin, two seasonal farm labourers who, despite being trained dressmakers, rely on farming for survival. For them, the scheme is not just about food it’s about dignity and daily bread.
“If I don’t work on the farm, there’s no food at home. My dressmaking isn’t enough,” Sarah said as she harvest tomatoes on 2.5 acres farmland in Tuba.
Afia added, “Sometimes I sew, but the orders aren’t consistent. The farm gives me weekly wages that help feed my kids and pay rent.”
The scheme currently supports over 230 registered farmers and employs more than 300 seasonal and permanent labourers, many of whom are women. These workers are paid daily or weekly and form the backbone of the food supply chain that feeds much of the surrounding communities markets and parts of Accra big market in the capital.
Traders Say: Tuba Keeps Prices Low
For many market traders, the Tuba Irrigation Scheme is a vital source of fresh and affordable produce. Rukaya, a tomato trader in Tuba Market, and Maabena, an Tomato seller in the Onion Market, both source their goods directly from the fields.
“I come to the farms myself to buy. Tomatoes from Tuba are cheaper, fresher, and help me make enough profit,” said Rukaya, as she sorted crates of tomatoes by size.
Maabena agreed, saying, “Tuba produce keeps my business running. If the canals break down completely, we will suffer, and prices will go up in the market.”
These traders are part of a larger network of local food vendors who depend on consistent supply from the Tuba Irrigation scheme. Any disruption to irrigation threatens not just farms but also food affordability in Tuba, surrounding towns and Accra.
A Forgotten Canal System: 40 Years Without Major RepairsThe Tuba Irrigation Scheme was established in 1983, with water drawn from the Densu River and the Weija Irrigation Dam. A 7 to 8-kilometre open canal was constructed to supply water year-round to support vegetable farming. However, despite its scale and impact, the facility has never undergone major rehabilitation.
“Since the 1990s, the canal has served us, but it has become fragile. Erosion, silt, and collapsed sections have made water distribution difficult,” Mr. Mensah explained.
During the dry season, water barely reaches the end of the fields. Farmers say they must sometimes carry water manually water the crops or abandon sections of their farms, leading to reduced productivity and financial loss.
Urban Farming as a Solution to Rising Food PricesUrban and peri-urban farming has become an important solution to food security in Ghana.
The proximity of Tuba to Accra makes it a key contributor to the city’s fresh produce market. Mr. Mensah believes that investing in urban irrigation systems like Tuba could ease the pressure on imported food, reduce transportation costs, and lower market prices for consumers.
“Urban farming is the way forward. If we can produce more food near our cities, we reduce the cost of food, reduce imports, and create jobs,” he said.
He urged the government not to overlook Tuba and other urban farming communities when planning agricultural investments.
The encroachment on most farmland has increase across the country. Land guard attack on farmland has increase due to the interest from the real estate company.
A Plea for Support and Recognition
Despite the current challenges, the farmers appreciate some of the support they’ve received. Mr. Mensah thanked the government for the recent fertiliser subsidy during the cropping season.
“We are grateful for the fertiliser support. Each farm got 20 bags fertilizer, and helped us start the season, but we still need more. Seeds, pesticides, tools and most importantly, the fertilizer,” he said.
Farmers are asking for a holistic intervention: one that includes rehabilitation of the reservoir and canal system, provision of farming inputs, and training for young people to continue the farming legacy in the area.
Looking Ahead: Can the Scheme Be Saved?
With thousands of livelihoods depending on the success of the Tuba Irrigation Scheme, the community is hoping their cry for help will be heard before the system collapses entirely. The cost of inaction, they warn, will be higher food prices, fewer jobs, and the collapse of a once-thriving local farming economy.
“We don’t need promises, we need action,” said Afia, as she headed back to the fields.
The Tuba Irrigation Scheme is more than a farming project; it’s a community, a source of sustenance, and a model of urban agriculture.
Its current state reflects years of neglect, but with timely government intervention, it could once again become a shining example of sustainable farming in Ghana. Until then, the farmers of Tuba continue to work their fields, hoping for the day when water flows freely again, bringing not just crops, but renewed hope.
The government has begun developing 100,000 hectares of farmland nationwide under an irrigation scheme, as part of the Feed Ghana Agenda, to complement existing projects and boost year-round farming, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced.
He said the development of the hectares would be done in phases within the next four years.
Currently, the country has 229,000 hectares of irrigated arable land out of an estimated 1.9 million hectares of irrigable land.
The minister said the extent of irrigated land in the country was woefully inadequate, with some facilities also in poor condition.
Hon. Opoku was speaking at the Sustainable Food System Summit organised by the United Nations (UN) Global Compact in partnership with the UN Ghana, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The summit emphasises food and nutrition security as central to development, ensuring safe, affordable and healthy diets for all.
It also discussed concerns on resilient, inclusive agriculture that empowers smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, through access to finance, markets, and climate-smart technologies, among others.
The summit was held on the theme: “Building Resilient Food Systems for Economic Growth, Environmental Sustainability, and Nutritional Security in Ghana”.
Rehabilitation, expenses
Mr Opoku said the government had also commenced the rehabilitation of malfunctioning irrigation facilities.
“When we took an inventory of the irrigation infrastructure that is available, we realised that some of them were constructed during Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s time and some of them during Acheampong’s time.“
As we speak, some of them are not functioning at all. Some of them are operating under five per cent capacity, some at 10 per cent.
Not long ago, I was in Ashaiman to cut sod for the commencement of the rehabilitation of the Ashaiman irrigation facility, which was constructed somewhere in the sixties. We are also going to Aveyime in the coming days,” the minister said.
Mr Opoku said plans were underway for the construction of 10 new dams with support from the French and Brazilian governments, as well as the European Union, adding that the government was also rehabilitating eight existing ones.
The minister stated that the country’s food import bill was in excess of $3 billion, stressing the need to curtail it so that such resources could be retained locally and invested in other critical sectors of the economy.
Transforming choices into action
For his part, the UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury, called for a shift from food-related choices to concrete actions to ensure the production of food that met demand.
He urged the government to build a food system that was sustainable, equitable and just for all Ghanaians, as well as to encourage more youth and women into agriculture.
Mr Choudhury further urged the government to massively scale up debt relief and guarantee long-term investments, stressing that doing so was the foundation for the country’s success.
The UN Resident Coordinator said food systems contributed a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, indicating that transforming them was essential to limiting global warming.
“We have to demand stronger and faster climate action and commit to positive production that reduces the unsustainable use of land and water,” he said.
Correspondence from Easter Region Under the blazing sun of Southeast Ghana, mango farmers fight an unrelenting battle against fruit flies and mealybugs.
But a recent study reveals that the chemicals they depend on for survival may be slowly poisoning them, their families, and the very land they cultivate.
Dr. Kwaku Adu of the Department of Applied Economics, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, has uncovered startling evidence: while pesticides safeguard mango yields, their misuse is leaving dangerous scars on health, food safety, and the environment.
This was contained in his recent publication entitled “Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mango farmers on the harmful effects of pesticide use in Southeast Ghana’, published by Cogent Food and Agriculture.
The study, which surveyed 112 mango farmers across Shai Osudoku, Yilo Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, and Upper Manya Krobo, paints a worrying picture.
Fewer than thirteen percent (13%) of farmers were aware of the environmental consequences of pesticide use, and just over twelve percent wore protective gloves during spraying.
More than sixty percent (60%) disposed of empty containers by burning them or dumping them on their farms, a practice that contaminates soil and water.
The health consequences are already evident: farmers reported headaches, skin rashes, coughing, pneumonia, asthma, and even deaths linked to pesticide exposure. Despite these risks, the overwhelming majority of farmers, over ninety percent (90%) continue to rely heavily on pesticides, often without protective equipment.
This unsafe reliance not only endangers rural communities but also poses a serious threat to Ghana’s growing mango export industry. International markets, especially in Europe, enforce strict standards on pesticide residues, and the continuation of these practices’ risks damaging Ghana’s reputation abroad.
Dr Adu stressed that the problem is not simply ignorance but also economic and structural.
Larger households struggle to afford safety equipment, while weak regulation and limited training mean many farmers never learn about safer practices. “This is not just about saving mangoes,” he cautioned. “It is about saving lives, protecting ecosystems, and securing Ghana’s agricultural future.”
The study calls for urgent national action. It recommends that farmers should be given mandatory training before purchasing pesticides, that protective equipment such as gloves, boots, and masks should be made affordable through subsidies, and that safe community-based systems for the disposal of containers should be introduced.
It further highlights the importance of stronger enforcement to curb the sale of counterfeit and unregistered chemicals and encourages the adoption of integrated pest management and eco-certification schemes that reward sustainable practices.
Mangoes remain one of Ghana’s most promising export crops, but the hidden cost of pesticide misuse is becoming too great to ignore.
Protecting the health of farmers is not only a moral duty but also an essential step toward sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and safe food for consumers at home and abroad.
Will Ghana pass the Anti-Witchcraft Bill? Find out in the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV in this conversation with Amnesty International:
Some international buyers of Ghana’s cocoa have started advancing part of more than $4 billion to COCOBOD for cocoa bean purchases for the 2025/2026 crop season.
JoyBusiness has learned that the full amount will not be released at once but spread over a period. However, sources say a significant portion is expected before the end of this year.
The move by global traders is to secure the necessary commitment from COCOBOD for bean supply.
COCOBOD’s New Financing Deal
In 2023, COCOBOD introduced a new funding model for cocoa purchases, requiring global traders to deposit at least 60% of the value of their forward contracts at the start of the season.
This system replaced the three-decade-old pre-export syndicated loan from international banks.
Part of the traders’ deposits will be used to finance purchases from farmers through existing partnerships with licensed cocoa buying companies (LBCs). In this arrangement, traders fund LBCs to buy cocoa while COCOBOD acts as an intermediary.
Impact on the Cedi
Analysts argue that apart from cocoa farmers, the cedi will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of these inflows, as they could significantly boost the Bank of Ghana’s international reserves.
The Bank’s Economic and Financial Data released in July put Ghana’s reserves at $11.1 billion.
Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Johnson Asiama, in an exclusive interview with JoyBusiness’s George Wiafe, said the inflows should signal to the market that the central bank is well-positioned to intervene when needed to meet the demands of businesses and commercial banks.
Dr. Asiama maintained that the development shows a favourable outlook for the cedi despite recent pressures. “As regulator, we have taken the needed actions to ensure that things do not get out of hand,” he assured.
He added that Ghana’s macroeconomic situation remains solid and should give businesses confidence in the cedi’s outlook as well as in ongoing measures to improve market liquidity.
JoyBusiness has also learned that the country could receive additional inflows from development partners, which should further strengthen international reserves.
Ghana’s shea industry is key to the transformation and the development of the youth and women. The industry has been the great source of livelihood, alleviating economic hardship to the people especially women in the northern part of the country.
As a tool to transforming and empowering the women and the youth, the shea sector is projected to evolve into a multi-million-dollar enterprise that would drive rural industrialization and inclusive growth, Dr. Andrew Osei Okrah, the CEO of Tree Crops Development Authority said during the World Shea Expo Ghana, 2025 at Tamale.
Dr. Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA revealing the potentials in the Shea industry to the stakeholders
Globally, he revealed, the demand for natural and organic products is rising. Shea butter has become a prized ingredient in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry. For Ghana, this presents a golden opportunity.
“For Ghana to exploit the market meaningfully, we have to expand into value-added products such as lotions, balms, and confectionery, to position women and youth-led SMEs for access to export markets and to transition from raw exports to industrial processing, thereby increasing domestic earnings and creating employment,” Dr. Osei Okrah advised.
Deriving the merit of the Expo, the CEO said it is a symbol of collective commitment to transforming the shea sector into a cornerstone of economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development.
He acknowledged the women who have preserved this heritage through generations and the rising tide of youth entrepreneurs bringing new energy, innovation, and market vision into the sector.
Reaffirming the theme of the expo “Empowering Women and Youth-led SMEs in the Shea Value Chain,” CEO said upon visiting Yumzaa Shea Butter Processing Centre in Tamale, owned by Madam Zakaria Adams, the industry is the most strategic path to inclusive economic growth. Thus, when women and youth are empowered, it is not merely to build businesses, but to build communities, industries, and sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA visiting the Yumzaa Shea Butter Processing Centre in Tamale, owned by Madam Zakaria Adams
He commended the Yumzaa Shea Butter Processing Centre for employing over 240 women and produces a range of value-added products from shea. “The facility runs on a 24-hour shift model; an initiative that aligns perfectly with the President H.E John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy Agenda, which is anchored on modernization, industrialization and the transformation of the Ghanaian economy to create sustainable jobs nationwide”, he added.
He assures the government’s unwavering support to address the challenges confronting the industry. “The shea sector faces Environmental degradation – including bushfires, tree felling and climate change effects. TCDA’s Agenda 2030 will focus on capacity building and awareness campaigns on the dangers of cutting shea trees. This will be undertaken in collaboration with the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Alhaji Ali Adolf John, and other stakeholders in the region”.
Limited access to finance particularly for women-led indigenous processors is another major challenge. TCDA is actively engaging financial partners and banks to invest in the shea sector, which has the economic potential of generating over $2 billion annually. Strengthening financial linkages for women and youth-led enterprises.
A major challenge also affecting the shea sector is low productivity due to pickers not picking enough nuts to meet local demand. TCDA key focus is to build the capacity of the pickers with the requisite resource to cover long distance of picking and equip them with innovative technologies to reduce labor and speed up output.
Another TCDA’s strategy to increase productive bring into line the Feed Ghana initiative by the president, is to ensure that a significant percentage of the raw unprocessed shea is reserved for the local industry to scale up production that can create more job opportunities before exporting the remains. This is backed by the TCDA Permit issued on 2nd May 2025, in accordance with Regulation 50 of L.I. 2471.
He called all stakeholders to support the growth of the industry as it has the prospect of transforming generational livelihood of the women and youth in the country.
Tomato prices in Accra remain elevated despite reports of a bumper harvest in farming communities, as high transport charges, poor storage facilities and weak market systems continue to undermine any benefits from increased production.
At Kasoa and Agbogbloshie markets, a small basket of tomatoes currently sells for between GHS220 and GHS250, well above the GHS120 to GHS150 range recorded during the same period last year.
Traders say the cost of transporting tomatoes from the Northern and Bono East regions, coupled with losses incurred through poor handling and inadequate preservation, is keeping prices beyond the reach of many households.
“Even though the farmers are producing more, transporting tomatoes from the farm gates to Accra costs almost the same as the produce itself. On top of that, we lose a lot along the way because of heat and bad roads,” said Aunty Yaa Asare, a trader at Kasoa market.
Another trader at Agbogbloshie, Mr Ibrahim Alhassan, noted that sales have declined as consumers adjust to the rising prices.
“People now buy half baskets instead of full ones. The price is too high, and sales are discouraging. Farmers bring plenty, but we cannot sell them quickly because there is no cold storage,” he explained.
Farmers, on the other hand, insist that prices at the farm gate have dropped this season, with a crate that previously sold at GHS200 now going for GHS120.
“The prices at the farms are lower this season. A crate that used to sell at GHS200 now goes for GHS120. The problem is that middlemen and transport charges push prices back up before they reach the consumer,” Mr Alhassan disclosed.
The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has therefore called for investment in cold chain systems and affordable transport solutions to reduce post-harvest losses and ease the burden on consumers.
“Every year we go through the same cycle. Without storage facilities, traders rush to sell, and consumers still pay more. Government support for logistics and preservation is key,” the association said in a statement.
Ghana is set to become a hub for fertiliser production following a $5 billion investment agreement with Qatari agricultural investors, Aljadad Group.
A geo-technical team is scheduled to begin feasibility studies in October on land secured at the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation.
The project will be anchored by a gas processing plant at Atuabo, which will provide feedstock and strengthen Ghana’s industrial base.
According to the investors, the initiative is expected to create over 2,000 direct local jobs and enhance the country’s self-sufficiency in fertiliser production.
Reverend Foster Mawuli Benson, local partner of Aljadad Holdings, described the investment as a turning point in Ghana’s agro-industrial drive.
“This project is about to begin. For the first time, Ghana will be producing fertilisers locally—specifically urea and ammonia at the Petroleum Hub in Atuabo. This will create over 2,000 direct jobs, especially for the youth,” he said during a visit to the Minister of Food and Agriculture.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, urged the investors to fast-track construction, highlighting the project’s role in advancing the government’s food security agenda.
“We have many young people going into agriculture. With the shift toward irrigation farming for year-round production, timely delivery of this project will be critical. It must start immediately,” he emphasised.
