By Ebenezer Chike Adjei NJOKU
Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, advocates for enhanced collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society to revamp the nation’s agricultural output while safeguarding forests.
At the inauguration of the 9th regional conference for the African Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) held in Accra, Mr. Opoku emphasized that collaborations between government entities and private businesses continue to be crucial for achieving both ecological benchmarks and economic progress objectives.
“The path forward necessitates enhanced collaboration, increased openness, and an inclusive strategy that upholds human rights and respects indigenous wisdom,” the minister stated to representatives from more than ten African countries attending the conference.
The gathering takes place as Ghana assumes a leading role in sustainable commodity production within the region, following recent global acknowledgment, particularly with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Currently, even with modest projections, it indicates that Africa’s food and agriculture sector could expand from an annual value of $280 billion in 2023 to approximately $1 trillion by 2030.
In June 2015, Ghana joined the African Palm Oil Initiative (APOI), part of the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA). By October 2015, they had become a partner as well. Their efforts have significantly contributed to crafting regional guidelines for sustainable farming practices.
In 2016, the nation held the inaugural TFA 2020 APOI Regional Workshop, resulting in the Marrakech Declaration on Oil Palm Development being adopted during COP-2022.
Mr. Opoku highlighted Ghana’s Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) as a concrete example of institutional innovation designed to balance agricultural expansion with environmental protection.
“This organization holds a crucial position in overseeing and facilitating the environmentally responsible development of key crops like oil palms, rubber, coconuts, mangos, cashews, and shea. Through encouraging superior methods, implementing environmental standards, and enhancing marketplace entry for smaller farmers, the TCDA is instrumental in transforming Ghana’s non-cacao arboreal farming sector,” he clarified.
The minister also addressed historical challenges in agricultural development, noting that past approaches often prioritised short-term gains.
“We have inherited systems that often prioritised short-term gains over long-term sustainability – systems that saw vast forest lands converted into farms without consideration for biodiversity, ecosystems or the rights of local communities. This must change. And I am proud to say it is changing,” he stated.
The minister’s perspectives were echoed by Andy Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA, who highlighted that they are working towards promoting economic growth within the tree crop industry via collaborations between public and private sectors. These initiatives align with ASCI guidelines and aim to safeguard forests, water sources, and rural areas alongside fostering development in this sector.
We are stepping into a new epoch for the tree crop industry—a period where wealth creation and environmental stewardship advance together,” he stated. “We believe that our initiatives will enhance economic growth as well as safeguard our natural assets and improve life in rural areas.
Dr. Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo, who leads Innovative Financing at the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, emphasized the importance of collaboration during his speech… underscoring the capacity for economic change through sustainable manufacturing.
“Our collaborative effort with the TCDA will assist us in developing a strategic approach to addressing agroecological issues,” stated Dr. Dodoo.
“And our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture will help us to look at how we can create sustainable production of agricultural products and accelerate their export prices,” he added.
The meeting’s objectives include facilitating knowledge exchange among the ten ASCI member-countries; reviewing research findings on sustainable supply chains; and showcasing how climate finance can be leveraged to improve environmental outcomes and farmer incomes.
Eric Amoako Agyare, who serves as the Country Representative for Solidaridad West Africa in Ghana, pointed out specific instances of technological transfers currently happening via partnerships between public entities and private companies.
Mr. Agyare stated that Solidaridad has introduced two small-scale oil palm processing facilities fitted with advanced technology aimed at decreasing methane emissions and enhancing the yield of palm oil production. These initiatives are part of Ghana’s climate action strategies outlined in Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
He noted that this innovation could act as a blueprint for other African countries, especially those looking to access climate financing and enhance their involvement in international sustainability efforts.
Abraham Baffoe, the Group Director of Proforest—a organization supporting the ASCI—highlighted that the involved nations—including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo—together hold 25% of the global tropical forest area and 75% of Africa’s forests.
“Government alone cannot accomplish this. We must all join forces, which is precisely why we are gathered here,” Mr. Baffoe emphasized, highlighting the importance of collective effort.
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