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World Bank Supports Ghana to Modernize and Diversify its Tree Crops Sector to Accelerate Productivity, Resilience, and Industrialization

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The Government of Ghana today received approval of $200 million financing from the International Development Association (IDA)* for the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) to diversify and grow its economy through modernizing agriculture to accelerate productivity, resilience, and industrialization. This financing will directly benefit 12,800 cocoa farmers and 39,975 cashew, coconut, and rubber farmers, and their households. An additional 20,000 jobs are expected to be created in downstream value addition by mobilizing private capital. Nearly 40 percent of on-farm beneficiaries will be women.

While Ghana’s tree crops sector plays an enormous role in agriculture and the economy, the sector can contribute more substantially to Ghana’s economy and society than it currently does, including job creation, export revenue generation, and poverty reduction of the country’s poorest people. Cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber segments employ some 728,000, 100,000, 10,364, and 4,322 farmers respectively. Challenges limiting the development of the sector include low and stagnant productivity, weak institutional capacity, poor sector governance, and poor climate resilience due to weak adoption of climate smart agriculture technologies and practices. There is little value addition and weak coordination between actors of the tree crops value chains. There is also lack of connectivity between farmers and improved inputs and services providers, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. In addition, deforestation, child labor, and the persistence of gender inequities in these agricultural subsectors are of concern.

“The World Bank is pleased to support Ghana’s medium-term national development strategy  through the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project and directly contribute to the Government of Ghana’s priorities for economic and social development in the Coordinated Program of Economic and Social Development Policies, for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy,” said Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone “The project will support private investments in  Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in cocoa, cashew, and coconut value chains and in cashew and coconut processing units.”

The TCDP will support demand driven research and enhance on-farm productivity and resilience to improve the productivity, profitability, and climate resilience in the cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber value chains. The project will support post-harvest management, value addition, and market access. It will support the deployment of public resources to crowd-in private sector investments in the sector where possible, accelerating economic transformation and developing critical agricultural value chains. The project will strengthen farmer-based organizations as well as the institutional capacity of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and improve sector governance for competitive and sustainable development of tree crops. It will improve value chain governance through traceability in tree crops and other investments, technical assistance, and other programmatic support to reform the sector. The project includes a child labor sub-component to identify and mitigate child labor risks in project communities.

“The project will focus on closing gender gaps in the tree crops sector by increasing the ability of women to obtain productive resources and increase incomes through tailored access to inputs, advice, and financial services”, said Ashwini Sebastian, Senior Agric Economist and Task Team Leader for TCDP. “Beneficiaries will be in 11 districts in 6 regions (Western North, Eastern, Savanna, Bono, Bono East, Eastern). Roughly 185 SMEs in cocoa, cashew, and coconut value addition and processing will also be direct beneficiaries through project matching grants, technical assistance support, and access to markets and services. Of these, at least 60 percent will be female owned SMEs”

The TCDA will house a Project Coordination Unit, while COCOBOD will house a Project Implementation Unit. The project will support institutional capacity for both entities and monitor coordination of project activities closely.

*The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank institution that provides aid to the world’s poorest countries. It was established in 1960 and provides grants and low- to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve the lives of poor people. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to 1.6 billion people. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $21 billion over the last three years, with about 61% going to Africa.

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Akweteykrom cocoa community receives over 3 unit classroom block and auxiliary facility from ICI.

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The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), as part of its efforts to ensure that pupils get a serene and conducive environment to learn in cocoa-growing communities in West Africa, has handed over a 3 unit classroom block and auxiliary being city to Akweteykrom Basic  School in the Assin South district of the Central Region of Ghana.

The objective of the project is to enable children in Akwateykrom, a cocoa-growing community to have access to proper infrastructure for teaching and learning activities as a way to encourage more children to attend school and increase enrollment at the basic level instead of been seen on their parents cocoa farms.

Target

The 3 unit classroom block and the auxiliary facility are for the children in Akwateykrom, a cocoa-growing community in the Assin South District where ICI is working assiduously to eliminate issues of child labour and forced labour in the community.

Handing over

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over the project to the community, Deputy Country Director & Programmeliminateor for the International Cocoa Initiative, Mr. Prince Gyamfi explained that the organization focuses on addressing issues of child labour in cocoa growing communities in West Africa.

 “Our vision is of thriving cocoa-growing communities within a dignified, sustainable and responsibly managed cocoa supply chain, where child rights and human rights are protected and respected, and where child labour and forced labour have been eliminated.

“We know that as a nonprofit organization we have prioritized issues of child labour and forced labour; they are our number one priority.

“The problems that bedevil our educational infrastructure in cocoa growing communities are numerous and so despite the enormous prioritization that we as an NGO have put on education, each time we come and inaugurate a project like this, I am very excited about it and we will continue to provide the necessary assistance for our young ones to have good and quality education.

“I have a strong belief that education is the only way to prepare a better future for the next generation of the community.

“Nananom, we are handing over a 3 unit classroom block and Auxiliary facility, a mechanized borehole and a 4-seater WC toilet to you on behalf of the whole community; Please make sure you maintain and take good care of this newly built classroom block” he said.

The District Chief Executive Officer for Assin South, Hon. Felicia Ntrakwah Amissah in a speech read on her behalf said the community has benefitted tremendously from the International Cocoa Initiative as far as projects are concerned.

“It is undeniable fact that our Assembly cannot do it alone and will therefore require the support of other development partners.

“The Assembly and the community are therefore grateful that this project has seen the light of the day.

“I entreat all to help maintain this structure so that it will be able to serve us for a long time” she said.

Head of Sustainability and Communications for Toms Group Foundation, Lea Holm said critical aspects of their corporate social responsibility are located at the beginning of the cocoa value chain which is production.

“We must protect and ensure sustainable use of earth’s resources and act with respect for human rights along our cocoa supply chain, ensuring responsible procurement practices.

“As an organization we are focusing on two main areas namely; eradication of deforestation and protection of children’s rights within cocoa growing communities.

“Even though the Toms Group Foundation has been working with ICI for a very long time; this is the first time we are collaborating to provide such an important school structure with auxiliary facility for teaching and learning activities.

“I believe that the building alone is not enough and for us at Toms Group Foundation we think we need to do more by helping provide books, pens, pencils and other equipment like sportswears for the children because children issues are on my heart and I trust that initiatives like this will help farmers produce better cocoa.

“I want to thank ICI and their leadership for helping provide this community with this beautiful school block and auxiliary facility” she said.  

Appreciation

The Gasehene of Akweteykrom, Mr. Richard Nartey and residents thanked ICI and Toms Group Foundation for providing the community with a beautiful 3 unit classroom block, a mechanized borehole and a 4-seater WC toilet.

We were grateful to ICI for coming into the community and also bringing in their partner the Toms Group Foundation to support our children and their educational needs.

Present at the handing over ceremony were Richard Ansah Amoof (District Coordinating Director for Assin South), Nyonkopa Cocoa Buying Ltd, Assembly Member for Akweteykrom, Heads of Departments and Units, Teachers, Pupils and some cocoa farmers in the communities took part in the handing over ceremony.

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Rainforest Alliance donates school materials to commemorate the 2023 World Day against Child Labour

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In celebration of the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour, Rainforest Alliance, A Non-Governmental Organisation with support from the NORAD funded project made presentations to two community basic schools.

The event attracted participants from various organizations and stakeholders across the country to the Ntowkrom district of the Ayensuano District in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Child labour describes the exploitation of children’s rights, mostly deprived of their childhood, their potential and their dignity. The nature of the work they do can be physically, mentally and socially damaging to them and often interferes with their schooling.

This results in a cycle of poverty which affects the community at large.

The World Day Against Child Labour is commemorated around the world on June 12 each year. The global theme for this year’s commemoration is “Protecting Children Against Labour Now More Than Ever” and the domesticated national theme is “Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do it fast, Do it now”, as a way of emphasizing the urgency of the need for stakeholders to intensify their efforts at addressing the situation.

This year’s celebration was organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) with support from a number of development partners including Rainforest Alliance.

The commemoration also served as a platform for the Ministry to launch the Ghana Accelerated Action Plan Against Child Labour (NPA3). The Action Plan is a document to guide all stakeholders to align their resources, expertise, and interventions with the government through the Child Labour Unit of the MELR to make joint effort towards eradication of child labour effective and nationally visible from now till 2027.

Speaking in an interview, Senior Project Manager at Rainforest Alliance, Joyce Poku-Marboah explained that Rainforest Alliance shares the same vision with the world where nature and humans thrive in harmony and takes the interest of farmers and their household seriously, including working towards eliminating child labour and other human rights abuses through its certification program and other donor-funded projects.

“There couldn’t be a better time to adopt a national localized theme like Intensify Action Against Child Labour; Do it Now! Do it Fast! than now.

“It is the moral duty of parents, guardian, the citizenry, government, CSOs and companies in the relevant supply chains to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy their childhood and build a better future.”

“Experiences gained through the implementation of Rainforest Alliances certification as well as projects such as the NORAD funded “Tackling Forced and Child Labour in Ghanaian Cocoa and Gold Mining” project, over the last couple of years, show that through stakeholder collaboration, and continuous improvement where farmers are advised to expose and report such abuses, the results are eminent.

“As part of our efforts to curb child labour which prevents children from going to school and school girls from staying in school when it’s ‘that time’ of the month for them, Rainforest Alliance with support from the NORAD funded project made presentations to two community basic schools.

This was done in two separate commemorations at the district and national levels; the two schools were Coaltar Basic Presby School in the Ayensuano district and the Ankaase Community Basic School in the Atewa East District.

The two basic schools were presented with 2000 exercise books, 400 notebooks, 400 mathematical sets, 2000 pens, 150 white board markers, 500 pieces of rulers, 1000 erasers, 1000 packs of crayons and 500 sanitary pads.

The items were presented by the Member of Parliament, Honourable Teddy Safori Addi and Senior Project Manager at Rainforest Alliance, Joyce Poku-Marboah in the presence of all stakeholders to the Coaltar School; whiles Alvin Adu Asare, Senior Associate, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Rainforest Alliance presented to the Ankaase Basic School in the presence of the District Assembly representatives, chiefs, opinion leaders and Edmark Foundation an NGO in the community” she said.

The country Director of Rainforest Alliance, Kwame Osei Boateng disclosed in an exclusive interview that Rainforest Alliance continues to use several pathways as part of its efforts to tackling child labour and other human right abuses in the country.

“We will continue to raise awareness and support small-scale farmers through certification and other donor funded projects”.

Present at the day’s event were Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations Hon. Bright Wereko Brobbey who represented the Minister, the Eastern Regional Minister, the District Chief Executives, traditional leaders, Member of Parliament for the area, International Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, and schools in the community.

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Cocoa farmers threaten to sell farms for galamsey if govt doesn’t increase price.

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Cocoa farmers in the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region have cautioned the government to immediately increase the price of cocoa, or they will continue to sell their cocoa farms for galamsey activities.

The farmers, who spoke to Citi News in Damang, said the current cocoa price is a disincentive to farming, and that the government’s withdrawal of free cocoa farm inputs has made it difficult for them to purchase adequate inputs for their farms. They said they are now reliant on major mining companies like Gold Fields Ghana to provide them with free farm inputs.

The Western Region is gradually losing its position as a major cocoa-producing region due to the intensification of illegal small-scale gold mining activities.

The region’s new status as a hub for galamsey activities is threatening the growth of the cocoa industry, as many farmers find the cocoa business unattractive due to the low price of cocoa compared to selling their cocoa farms to galamsey operators.

Farmers from the Damang Cocoa District in the galamsey-endemic area of Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality gathered in Damang to receive free fertilizers and pesticides from the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation.

They told Citi News that the threat of galamsey to cocoa is due to the low price of cocoa and the government’s switch from free to subsidized cocoa farm input delivery to farmers.

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The importance of agriculture for the food security of African children.

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Agriculture plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for African children. Despite being rich in resources, many African children still suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

Agriculture provides a reliable and affordable source of food for African children, as well as job opportunities for families who depend on it.

Food crops can be grown locally and provide a reliable source of essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals for children. Agriculture can also help strengthen local economies by enabling farmers to sell their products in local and regional markets.

However, agriculture in Africa faces many challenges, such as drought, crop diseases, limited access to water and quality seeds, and inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure. Governments, international organizations, and NGOs are working together to address these challenges and improve the food security of African children.

It is also essential to involve local communities and children themselves in promoting agriculture. Children can be educated about sustainable farming practices and the importance of healthy eating, and they can be encouraged to participate in community gardens and agricultural projects.

In conclusion, agriculture is a key element in improving the food security of African children. It is important to continue investing in sustainable farming practices, adequate infrastructure, and educational programs to ensure that African children have access to healthy and nutritious food.

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Turkey is an important business country for Ghana to partner with – Mr. Afriyie Amoateng-GIPC.

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The development of every economy lingers around her ability to create long-lasting business partnerships with other countries that have what it takes to create funds and support for her citizens through technology, Agriculture, and other innovative means of development.

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Youth advised to channel their energies to farming instead of galamsey.

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A Senior Citizen, Mr. Yaw Opoku Asiama, has raised alarm over the increasing spate at which young people are engaging in illegal mining (popularly called galamsey) to the detriment of agriculture.

He expressed dismay over the urge by the youth to indulge in illegal mining instead of farming where more hands are needed. He said many individuals engaged in extensive commercial farming were far advanced in age and physically weak hence, the youth should be more interested in that field.

‘I have left my 5 acres of farm at Effutu with this beautiful grey hair. I can’t weed 5 acres at my age. We need to inculcate the love of farming in our up-and-coming generation instead of them using their strength to do galamsey’ he explained.

Mr. Asiama, who is a retired lecturer, School of Agriculture-UCC, said this when he took his turn at the Research Seminar Series organised by the School of Agriculture of the University of Cape Coast.

Held at the Sasakawa Conference Room, the Seminar was on the topic, ‘Ghana’s Agriculture: Which way in the light of Climate Change.’

He also called on government to revive the defunct Farm Institutes to produce professional farmers and farm workers.

Mr. Asiama, fondly known as Kwame Nkrumah, admitted that estate developers were the major competitors of farmers and they were using their affluence to grab lands to put up magnificent buildings.

Mr. Asiama also called for the institution of a Land Use Policy aimed at demarcating areas for estate developers and agriculture.

He called for the establishment of a Weather Commission mandated to study the weather to re-demarcate the agro-ecological zones of the country.

‘As human beings, we don’t have the power to alter climate change to suit our agriculture but we can do serious research to change agriculture to suit climate change’ he stressed.

In his view, the time had come for the country to place emphasis on root and tuber crops, indicating, ‘These are very resilient and can withstand weather changes and can also serve as animal feed for poultry.’

Like Cocoa Marketing Board, he appealed to government to set up marketing boards for stable crops to enable the farmer earn money irrespective of any uncertainty that would hit the agriculture sector.

Mr. Asiama encouraged import substitution of products made in Ghana to decrease the over reliance of foreign products.

He discouraged the misuse of pesticides and herbicides in farming and called on farmers to use farm machinery in their farms.

Mr. Asiama implored agriculture academicians in the tertiary institutions to set up an Agric Advisory Council to be the driving force behind agriculture in the country rather than politicians.

The Seminar was chaired by a former Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. LK Sam Amoah.

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The 9th WCI Forum: CAG calls for maximum participation of businesses and industries for economic growth and development.

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The Chamber of Agribusiness in collaboration with the World cooperation International (WCI) is organizing the 9th WCI Forum thar aims at connecting Ghanaian and Turkish business communities, manufacturers, experts, industry players to promote businesses for economic growth and development.

The forum is set to take place at Alisa Hotel in Accra on 14th to 15th of June, 2023 and will see exhibitors from several parts of the business world with their products and services to outdoor, connect and create business partnership.

This is a B2B forum opportunity for business owners who will like to expand their business territories to the international markets.

In a release issued by the two organizations states;

“The WCI Forum is an annual event that promotes international business networking and collaboration. It aims to connect businesses, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from different countries and industries to foster economic growth and development.

This year’s 2-day international and business networking forum aims to foster connections between Ghanaian and Turkish businesses, manufacturers, and authorities across various industries.

With over 30 Turkish businesses participating, the WCI Forum offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful collaborations and explore new avenues for growth. From agriculture to trading, apparel to healthcare, participants will have access to a diverse range of industries, providing endless possibilities for partnerships and business expansion.

This event will be a platform for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers to connect, exchange ideas, and forge long-lasting partnerships.

HIGHLIGHTS of the 9th WCI FORUM INCLUDE : Networking Opportunities: Engage with industry leaders and like-minded professionals to establish valuable connections that can fuel business growth and development.

Exclusive B2B Meetings

Participate in exclusive business-to-business meetings with Turkish delegations, providing a platform to discuss potential collaborations, trade opportunities, and joint ventures.

Information Access

Explore exhibitor stands and booths to gain unlimited access to valuable information, innovative products, and services across a wide range of industries.

The 9th WCI Forum is not only an opportunity to expand business networks but also a platform to learn from industry experts through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and specialized sessions. Attendees will gain insights into market trends, best practices, and emerging opportunities, enhancing their competitive edge in today’s global economy”.

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AfBC,FARA sign MoU to boost agribusiness in Africa.

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The African Union Business Council (AfBC) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost agribusiness in Africa.

The partnership was announced at the 8th Agricultural and Science Week held in Durban, South Africa.

The President of the African Union Business Council Dr Amany Asfour in her address explained that the partnership seeks to build the capacity of stakeholders in the agricultural sector with technology and an improved access to finance.

“While the private sector is investing in SMEs, women and youth, small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and young entrepreneurs, etc we need to see how we can build their capacity”, she said.

To achieve this feat, FARA plays a role in harnessing science and technology to accelerate the growth of agriculture and agribusiness by providing “knowledge, education, scientific innovation, etc to our farmers”, she added.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Lead Specialist at FARA, Mr. Anselme Vodounhessi, explained that FARA will focus on “technical assitance [providing farmers with inputs, education, etc” and the AfBC will look at “investment facilitation by linking the private sector to the stakeholders in the agribusiness.”

Mr Anselme who doubles as the CAAPs Coordinator quizzed that when the private sector wants to construct “a processing plant to produce mango juice and you’re not getting the raw mango how will you grow?”

“So what we will be doing is to create an enabling environment [for SMEs, farmers, etc] where they will be able to produce quality foods. Enabling environment refers to the technology and access to finance,” he added.

Dr Asfour further called on African governments to uphold their commitment “to have at least 1 per cent of their finances geared towards scientific and research technologies”, she further rallied them “to be self-sufficient in foods and nutrition”.

The AfBC serves as an independent private-sector institution of the African Union with a focus on boosting intra-African trade and the integration of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The partnership between the AfBC and FARA is a significant step forward in the fight against hunger and poverty in Africa as the two organizations can help to develop a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in Africa.

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Ghana risks losing cocoa sector: COCOBOD accumulates losses, Non-producing countries start production

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Ghana risks losing its major foreign exchange earner cocoa, due to a combination of factors such as illegal mining, accumulated losses and major developments by some advanced countries to aggressively grow and export the crop.

The Ghana Cocoa Board which is mandated to supervise the production and export of cocoa in the country is reeling under huge annual losses which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified as a major threat to the sector and government’s fiscal efforts.

The fund in its report on Ghana’s extended credit facility programme said COCOBOD had accumulated annual losses for many years.

It said those losses had been accumulated due to high rollover cost of outstanding cocoa bills, high purchase price to cocoa producers compared to its operational costs, and elevated quasi-fiscal operations such as fertiliser provision, rural roads development that have also been a burden on the board’s administrative expenses.

The Ghana COCOBOD in January this year, defaulted on payments for maturities of its 182-day bill, rolling over outstanding securities with face value of GH¢ 940.42 million.

The government is currently engaging with investors for a restructuring of the cocoa bills.

The sector has also not been spared the harsh realitiies of illegal minners whose activities have affected cocoa production.

In February this year, the Graphic Online reported that National Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme which was done at a cost of GHC 4.2 million faces threats from illegal miners who have taken over cocoa farms across the country, including farms which were recently rehabilitated.

Foreign nationals have also taken advantage of the lapsed security issues at the district levels to perpetuate huge devastation of cocoa farms in favor of mining gold. Government efforts at fighting these menace have so far proved futile.

These challenges, coupled with some non-producing countries in Europe and Asia venturing into the production and export of cocoa poses a huge risk to the country;s cocoa sector.

Ghana earns over $ 3 billion in forex alone for the raw exports of the cocoa beans. Ghana’s cocoa commands a premium on the international market.

CompetitionGhana and Cote D’voire are facing competition from Western and far east countries, some of whom have started experimenting with cocoa production and the possibility of exports.

The decision of the top two cocoa-producing countries, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, to institute some aggressive measures aimed at safeguarding its cocoa industry appears not to sit well with global players, some of whom are now exploring the possibility of producing their own cocoa beans.

In 2018, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire agreed to set a floor price for cocoa on the global commodity market, below which none of the two countries would sell its produce.

Another key action point was the adoption of a concurrent opening season and announcement of producer prices to be paid to farmers in the two countries.

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