Ghana Export Promotion Agency (GEPA) and Exim Bank Affirm their support for the Ghana Cashew Industry

At a meeting held on the 24th May 2017, in the office of the Ghana Export Promotion Agency (GEPA), the CEO of GEPA, Hon. Gifty Klenam, affirmed GEPA’s support towards the development and regulation of the cashew industry in Ghana.

Setting the agenda for the meeting, Mr. Winfred Osei Owusu, President of the Ghana Cashew Industry Association (CIAG) gave a brief background on the problems facing the cashew industry in Ghana, as well as steps taken by CIAG in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as the Ministry of Trade and Industry, towards the formation and a cashew regulatory board. The only thing, he mentioned was lacking in the process is funding, which through this collaboration, is hopeful to make progress. 

In delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Ernest Mintah, the Managing Director of ACA expressed his pleasure to see the Cashew Industry Association of Ghana making so much effort together with governments’ own initiatives like the set-up of an inter-ministerial committee, all with the aim of forming a regulatory body for the cashew industry in Ghana. He underlined that, at the end of the day, the most important thing would be collaboration among all actors for a strong industry.

Mr. Seth Osei Akoto, Director of Crop Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), in his speech, disclosed government’s efforts over the years to develop the cashew sector in Ghana. These efforts he confirmed, is what has led to the first steps towards the formation of a cashew regulatory board for Ghana, through the formation of a joint inter-ministerial committee to lead this initiative. As a result, a regulatory framework for the development of the cashew sector has been developed.   

The Exim Bank, represented by  Madam Nana Ama Poku, also shared their  vision for the sector, as not only focused on channeling funds for development, but also for capacity building that will lead to increased production and productivity along the value chain. They pledged their support to accompany this collaboration through to the achievement of concrete results.

ACA will continue to support such initiatives and collaboration leading to the development of the cashew industry.