Time to wake up and smell Ghana’s coffee

October 1 marked World Coffee Day, a global celebration of one of the most traded and culturally significant commodities on the planet.

While countries like Brazil, Ethiopia and Colombia dominate the headlines, Ghana’s coffee sector is quietly gaining ground and it deserves far more attention. Ghana does produce coffee, primarily Robusta, in regions such as Ashanti, Eastern, Central and Western.

However, for decades, the crop has remained in the shadow of cocoa. That is beginning to change.

According to market forecasts, Ghana’s coffee industry is projected to grow beyond USD 60 million by 2030, driven by rising domestic consumption and global interest in African-grown beans.

Globally, coffee supports over 25 million farmers and contributes billions to national economies.

In Ghana, it holds the potential to diversify export earnings, create jobs and restore degraded lands, especially in communities affected by illegal mining. The Coffee Federation of Ghana (CFG) has rightly called on government to prioritise the sector, not only as an agricultural product but as a strategic tool for sustainable development.

Yet challenges remain. Ghana’s coffee farmers face limited access to finance, poor infrastructure and low visibility in international markets. Unlike cocoa, coffee lacks a strong institutional framework and consistent policy support. Many smallholder farmers operate without technical assistance or guaranteed pricing, making the crop less attractive despite its growing demand.

Revival efforts are underway. The CFG is championing coffee as a strategic crop, promoting ecological restoration and rural empowerment. Local entrepreneurs are experimenting with indigenous blends, and Accra’s café culture is expanding.

However, these efforts require scale and structure. Government must invest in research, extension services and market access. A national coffee strategy, backed by legislation and funding, could unlock the sector’s full potential.

World Coffee Day should not pass as a ceremonial nod to global trends. It must serve as a call to action. Ghana has the land, the climate and the talent. What it needs is leadership and investment.

Coffee can become a pillar of our economic reset, a source of pride and prosperity brewed right here at home.