President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the maiden Tree Crop Investment Summit on Tuesday, signaling a strategic shift toward expanding Ghana’s export base and maximizing the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
During the event, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector from a source of raw materials into a hub for industrial processing. He emphasized that the era of exporting raw cashew, shea, and rubber only to re-import finished goods must end, insisting that local value addition is essential for building economic resilience and creating sustainable domestic jobs.
Central to the government’s “Resetting Agenda,” the President outlined five policy pillars for the tree crop sector: production, jobs, exports, value addition, and inclusive growth. He announced an ambitious target to create 250,000 direct jobs through the sector, highlighting its potential to reduce national unemployment and empower rural communities.
President Mahama specifically noted that the initiative would provide critical support to women, who represent a significant portion of the households sustained by these priority crops.
In his concluding remarks, the President called for a shift from bureaucracy to tangible results, stating that farmers must see real improvements in their livelihoods rather than just “paperwork.”
He urged Ghanaians and young entrepreneurs to invest in the sector, describing it as a transformative opportunity to make agriculture more modern, profitable, and attractive to the next generation.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
