President John Dramani Mahama has officially opened the first Tree Crop Investment Summit, pledging to create 250,000 direct jobs and accelerate value addition in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Mr Mahama said his administration was committed to expanding Ghana’s export base and maximising opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He stressed that the government would prioritise tangible outcomes for farmers.
“Our farmers must see results, not paperwork,” he said, signalling a shift towards practical interventions and measurable impact.
The president said Ghana could no longer afford to export raw cashew, raw shea and unprocessed rubber, only to import finished products at higher prices. He insisted that processing and value addition must take place locally to create jobs and strengthen the country’s economic resilience.
Mr Mahama described the tree crops sector as central to his government’s “Resetting Agenda”, outlining five pillars to drive the policy: production, jobs, exports, value addition and inclusive growth.
He said the sector had significant potential to reduce unemployment, particularly in rural areas, and to empower women, who make up a substantial proportion of households supported by priority crops.
“Agriculture must be modern, it must be profitable, and it must be attractive to young people,” he added, calling on Ghanaians and investors to take advantage of what he described as a promising and transformative sector.
The Tree Crop Investment Summit is expected to bring together policymakers, investors and industry players to explore opportunities in cashew, shea, rubber and other priority crops, as Ghana seeks to diversify its economy and boost export earnings.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
