Cashew Watch Ghana engages TCDA to boost sector growth

Sunyani (Bono), March 7, – The leadership of Cashew Watch Ghana has held discussions with Dr Andy Osei Okrah to explore collaborative opportunities aimed at advancing the nation’s cashew sector.

The engagement focused on promoting sustainable development across the cashew value chain, enhancing productivity, supporting smallholder farmers, improving market access, and advocating for policies to strengthen the industry.

Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, National Coordinator of CWG, said the partnership with the Tree Crop Development Authority would amplify the voices of cashew farmers and stakeholders while supporting government efforts to transform tree crops into major contributors to economic diversification.

Under the collaboration, TCDA and CWG plan to educate key actors in the value chain—including farmers, aggregators, processors, and exporters—on improved production practices, pricing systems, value addition, trade regulations, and job creation opportunities.

Dr Okrah commended the advocacy efforts of CWG and civil society groups, emphasizing that stronger stakeholder collaboration is critical to developing non-traditional export commodities, increasing foreign exchange earnings, and generating employment. He noted that establishing a separate board for cashew was unnecessary, as existing provisions within the TCDA Act already addressed farmers’ concerns.

The Authority has implemented measures to strengthen the industry, including distributing free improved cashew seedlings and providing farm tools and equipment, such as chainsaws for pruning, to boost farm management and productivity.

The TCDA, established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), regulates and promotes production, processing, and trade of major tree crops, including cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm. Cashew has become a key non-traditional export crop, supporting thousands of smallholder farmers in the Bono, Bono East, Northern, and Savannah regions and presenting opportunities for local processing and value addition.

The engagement underscored the need for meaningful reforms to improve farmer incomes and strengthen the sector as the global cashew market is projected to reach US$10 billion by 2030, up from the current estimate of US$7 billion.

GHBUSS

07 March 2026