President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday officially opened the maiden edition of the Tree Crop Investment Summit, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding Ghana’s export base and fully leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In a firm call for tangible results, the President declared: “Our farmers must see results, not paperwork.” He stressed that Ghana will no longer export raw cashew, raw shea, or unprocessed rubber only to import finished products at higher costs. Instead, value addition and local processing will be prioritised to create jobs and strengthen economic resilience.
Describing the tree crops sector as central to his government’s Resetting Agenda, President Mahama outlined five pillars driving the new policy direction: production, jobs, exports, value addition, and inclusive growth. He announced Government’s commitment to creating 250,000 direct jobs through the sector, highlighting its potential to reduce unemployment and empower rural communities, particularly women who form a significant share of households supported by priority crops.
“Agriculture must be modern, it must be profitable, and it must be attractive to young people,” he added, urging Ghanaians to invest in what he described as a promising and transformative sector.
The Tree Crop Investment Summit, which runs for four days in Accra, has brought together investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore opportunities in tree crop development, industrialisation, and export diversification.
President Mahama’s announcement signals a bold shift in Ghana’s trade and industrial policy, with emphasis on building a resilient economy anchored on local production, value addition, and inclusive growth.
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