Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture in Ghana (MoFA, presided over the inauguration of the 6th Council of Ministers Meeting and Experts Meeting of the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC) in Accra.
Held on April 18th to 20th, 2024, the event underscored critical objectives for advancing the cashew sector, including value addition, research initiatives, productivity enhancement, technology integration, and human capital development.
Hon. William Agyapong Quaittoo and Mr. Yaw Oteng, CEO and Deputy CEO-Finance and Administration of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), graced the prestigious assembly. The TCDA, in collaboration with MoFA, organised this noteworthy gathering.
Coinciding with the CICC meetings, Ghana proudly hosted its inaugural Cashew Fair under the theme "Advancing the Cashew Sector: Local Consumption, Value Addition, and Job Creation” at the Efua Sutherland Park. This event showcased a diverse array of cashew-derived products, advocating for increased local consumption and highlighting the integral role of local consumers in fostering sustainable sectoral growth.
Recognizing the substantial contribution of the cashew industry to Ghana's economy, with export revenues reaching approximately $300 million in 2023, the government underscores the importance of collaborative partnerships. Such partnerships, involving the private sector and esteemed development partners such as GIZ/MOVE, the EU, the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), Olam Foods Ingredients, Procashew, and Prosper Cashew, are instrumental in achieving agricultural modernization and transformation objectives.