BTA2023 President John Dramani Mahama has declared an end to the export of unprocessed tree crops, directing foreign companies trading in Ghana’s raw cashew to establish local processing plants or exit the market.
Speaking at the inaugural Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition in Accra on February 17, the President said the long-standing model of exporting raw commodities while importing finished products at higher prices had short-changed farmers and weakened Ghana’s industrial base.
“We will no longer export raw cashew,” he stated. “I invite our investment partners who export cashews to come and build the capacity to process our cashew locally.”
The directive was extended to shea and rubber.
“We will no longer export raw cashew, raw shea, or unprocessed rubber while importing the same finished products at higher prices,” he added.
890,000 Livelihoods at Stake
The policy shift carries major implications for an estimated 890,000 people employed within Ghana’s cashew value chain, most of them smallholder farmers in the Bono, Bono East and Savannah regions who depend on sales of raw nuts for income.
The summit — organised by the Tree Crops Development Authority with support from the World Bank — is being held from February 17–20 under the theme “Sustainable Growth Through Tree Crop Investments: Resetting and Building Ghana’s Green Economy.”
50–60% Local Processing Target
President Mahama announced a national target to process 50–60% of tree crop commodities locally each year, backed by:
- Expansion of agro-industrial parks
- Incentives for private processors
- Stronger regulatory oversight
“Our target is clear — 50% to 60% local processing annually, expansion of agro-industrial parks, incentives for private sector processors, and stronger regulatory oversight,” he said.
The move forms part of a broader industrialisation push aimed at capturing more value within Ghana’s borders and reducing dependency on raw commodity exports.
$200 Million Diversification Programme Relaunched
The President also relaunched and accelerated the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project, a $200 million World Bank-supported initiative.
Under the programme:
- 7.8 million cashew seedlings
- 2.3 million rubber seedlings
- 3.9 million coconut seedlings
will be distributed to over 30,000 farmers. Government estimates suggest 52,775 households will benefit directly, while 185 small and medium enterprises will receive matching grants.
“I’ve directed the Tree Crops Development Authority and COCOBOD to expedite implementation,” the President said. “Our farmers must see results, not paperwork.”
Breaking the Raw Export Cycle
President Mahama drew parallels with Ghana’s historical cocoa export model, referencing the colonial-era governorship of Gordon Guggisberg.
“We’ve exported raw beans since Guggisberg’s time,” he said. “In the 21st century, being the leading exporter of raw cocoa beans is not an accolade. We should take pride in being the leading exporter of manufactured cocoa products.”
He indicated that lessons from the recent global cocoa market volatility have influenced government thinking, revealing plans to adjust cocoa financing arrangements by raising funds locally, paying farmers directly and allocating a portion of production for domestic processing.
Toward Industrial Sovereignty
The announcement signals a stronger import-substitution and value-addition strategy under the administration’s broader economic reset agenda.
By tying market access to local processing commitments, the government is effectively shifting Ghana’s tree crop sector from a raw-material export model toward manufacturing-led agricultural industrialisation — a move aimed at boosting rural incomes, strengthening foreign exchange earnings and enhancing economic sovereignty.
