Unlock Full Potential of Cashew Value Chain – B/R Minister Urges

Sunyani, Ghana – The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae-Akwaboah, has called on stakeholders across Africa’s cashew sector to develop strategic, innovative solutions to unlock the full potential of the continent’s cashew value chain. 

Speaking through a representative at the opening of session two of the 19th Master Training Programme (MTP) for cashew value chain promotion in Sunyani, Mr. Addae-Akwaboah stressed the need for Africa to move beyond raw cashew production and become a center for value-added processing and investment. 

The five-day training has brought together 103 participants from eight West African countries—Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Organized by the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) in partnership with GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew and funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the MTP aims to create a skilled workforce to drive the growth, diversification, and sustainability of Africa’s cashew industry. 

The Minister highlighted the Ghanaian government’s ongoing support through infrastructure development, policy reforms, and collaboration with private sector actors. He also commended the Tree Crops Development Authority for working with global partners to achieve the sector's development goals. 

ACA Managing Director Ernest Mintah noted that this MTP session focuses on addressing production challenges—from nursery management to climate-smart agricultural practices—by offering a blend of expert-led training, field visits, and interactive discussions. 

Dr. Owusu Domfeh, Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), assured participants of CRIG’s commitment to developing resilient cashew varieties capable of withstanding pests, diseases, and climate change. 

Meanwhile, Beate Weiskopf, Project Leader of GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew, emphasized the project’s commitment to gender equality and youth inclusion, asserting that the sector’s global competitiveness depends on meaningful contributions from both men and women. 

The collaborative initiative reflects a growing consensus among stakeholders that building a vibrant and sustainable cashew industry in Africa requires bold innovation, inclusive participation, and investment in human capital. 

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