Ato Forson Backs Oil Palm Sector as Key Driver of Jobs and Growth
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has thrown his full support behind Ghana’s oil palm industry, describing it as a vital pillar for job creation, rural development, and national economic growth.
During a working visit to the Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP) at Adum Abanso in the Western Region, Dr Forson underscored the enormous opportunities the sector offers for sustainable employment and industrial expansion.
“The dedication and professionalism I witnessed here give me great confidence that renewed investment in this sector is worth every effort,” he said. “Benso Oil Palm Plantation is a perfect example of how strategic investment in oil palm can create thousands of jobs and transform lives.”
The Minister commended the management and staff of BOPP, as well as the network of smallholder farmers who supply the company, for their role in advancing Ghana’s agro-industrial agenda. He described the company’s inclusive operations as a model for sustainable agricultural development that aligns with government’s broader objective of ensuring rural communities share in the benefits of national growth.
Dr Forson revealed that government is finalising a comprehensive Oil Palm Plantation Policy that seeks to boost cultivation, improve local processing, and promote value addition across the industry. According to him, the forthcoming policy will help create thousands of jobs and strengthen agriculture’s contribution to the country’s next phase of development.
The oil palm sector continues to stand out as one of Ghana’s most promising agricultural value chains, supporting thousands of livelihoods and contributing significantly to export revenue.
Government’s renewed attention to the industry is part of its wider plan to harness agriculture and agro-industrial development to reduce import dependence, expand domestic production, and build a more resilient economy.
