Ghana to host 6th Consultative International Cashew Council conference
By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), is set to host the Sixth Council of Ministers’ Conference of the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC) from April 16th to April 20th, 2024.
The conference, which would be held alongside a research dialogue, a fair, and an exhibition, aims to support the development of the cashew sector and contribute to the economic and social growth of member states.
Deputy Executive Officer for the Tree Crop Development Authority, Mr. Yaw Oteng, said Ghana’s hosting of the conference is a testament to the country’s commitment to cashew sector development and governments desire to showcase the potential of the industry.
He stated that there will be a Cashew Research Dialogue from April 14 to April 17 to inform strategic policy decisions and catalyze investment avenues for sustained sectoral growth.
The dialogue will convene ministers, experts, and researchers from member countries to share insights, discuss achievements, and identify crucial research gaps within the cashew industry.
He added that there will also be a Cashew Expo and Exhibition, themed “Projecting the Cashew Sector through Local Consumption, Value Addition, and Job Creation,” and will showcase a diverse array of cashew products, both raw and residual.
This exhibition, he said, aims to educate the public on the nutritional benefits of cashew products and provide a platform for local cashew processors to explore new markets and enhance their market presence.
Mr. Oteng underscored the need for Ghana to upscale her cashew processing capacity despite support from international organisations such as the World Bank to be able to increase exports and enhance the stabilisation of the cedi.
The Deputy CEO noted that the TCDA, under the Tree Free Crops Rehabilitation programme, was replanting trees, including cashew trees, that had been destroyed by galamsey and other activities.
Additionally, he indicated that his outfit, in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, was undertaking an alternative employment livelihood programme to support communities affected by galamsey and land degradation.
Such initiatives, he said, formed part of the TCDA’s effort to mitigate the issue of climate change as activities such as galamsey affected harvests and led to the dwindling of yields.
Mr. Oteng also noted that his outfit, under the component of the World Bank Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project, was committed to the development of small irrigation systems to take care of droughts in rich cashew geographical areas of the country.
He called on all stakeholders in the cashew value chain and the general public to actively participate in the conference.
The Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC), established in 2016 as an international and intergovernmental organization, aims to promote, advocate, share knowledge, innovate, and provide platforms for discussions on issues pertinent to the cashew value chain.
With 11 member countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and others, the CICC’s vision is to support the development of the cashew sector and contribute to the economic and social growth of its member states.
