President John Dramani Mahama has officially relaunched the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project, a $200 million World Bank-supported programme to distribute millions of seedlings to over 30,000 farmers across the country.
Under the programme, 7.8 million cashew seedlings, 2.3 million rubber seedlings, and 3.9 million coconut seedlings will be distributed to farmers to expand Ghana’s tree crop production and diversify the agricultural export base.
The programme will benefit 52,775 households directly, with 185 small and medium enterprises receiving matching grants to support processing and value addition in the tree crop sector.
In his address at the inaugural Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Accra, President Mahama directed the Tree Crops Development Authority and the Ghana Cocoa Board to expedite implementation.
President Mahama stressed that farmers must see results, not paperwork, instructing the implementing agencies to move swiftly in executing the project.
“I’ve directed the Tree Crops Development Authority and Cocoa Board to expedite implementation of this program. Our farmers must see results, not paperwork,” he said.
The project forms part of the government’s strategy to transform agriculture into a high-value export-driven sector and reduce Ghana’s over-reliance on cocoa as the primary agricultural export.
The President explained that the six priority tree crops; cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea, together employ over 1.6 million Ghanaians and contribute 2% to Ghana’s GDP and 4.5% to agricultural GDP.
He noted that shea supports over 500,000 households, mostly women, while cashew employs nearly 890,000 people, rubber supports about 500,000 farmers, and oil palm provides jobs for over 120,000 Ghanaians.
President Mahama announced that the government has set a target of 50% to 60% local processing annually, supported by expansion of agro-industrial parks and incentives for private sector processors.
“We will no longer export raw cashew, raw shea, or unprocessed rubber while importing the same finished products at higher prices,” the President declared.
The programme will provide improved seedlings, establish farmers’ hubs, improve access to finance, and offer matching grants for small and medium enterprises to build inclusive value chains.
President Mahama emphasized that agriculture must be modern, profitable, and attractive to young people, noting that tree crops offer strong opportunities for youth engagement in agribusiness and create processing and logistical jobs.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
