The Government of Ghana (GoG), in collaboration with the World Bank, will launch the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in Accra.
This innovative initiative aims to transform Ghana’s agricultural sector and promote sustainable economic growth by diversifying tree crops.
In a statement on Monday, November 11, 2024, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) highlighted that the government seeks to tackle key challenges affecting productivity and sustainability in the production of cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber.
The project will also address critical issues such as child labour and gender inequality within the industry.
“The TCDP proposes a two-pronged approach focusing on both cocoa and other strategic tree crops to enhance productivity, improve market access, and bolster the competitiveness of the private sector. With a total budget of USD 227.5 million, which includes a USD 27.5 million contribution from the GoG through COCOBOD, the project encompasses four primary components: 1. Institutional Strengthening and Value Chain Governance 2. Enhancing Tree Crop Productivity and Climate Resilience 3. Support for Post-Harvest Management, Value Addition, and Market Access 4. Project Coordination, Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation.”
“The project aims to achieve significant outcomes, such as increased yields and value addition for target tree crops, improved climate adaptation strategies, and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
The TCDP will introduce protective measures to combat child labour and enhance gender equity within the agricultural workforce.
“The TCDP will be rolled out in eleven districts across six regions of Ghana, carefully chosen for their potential to maximize impact. The targeted areas include: • Cocoa: Western North’s Essam and Adabokrom, and Asamankese in the Eastern Region. • Cashew: Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in the Savannah Region, Wenchi and Tain in the Bono Region, and Techiman Municipal and Techiman North in the Bono East Region. • Coconut: Upper West Akim and Suhum in the Eastern Region, and Rubber in Upper West Akim,” it added.
BY: OSEI – TUTU ESTHER KUMAH
