In a bid to boost job creation and alleviate poverty in Ghana’s Bono Region, Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Regional Minister, has urged development partners to invest in enhancing cashew fruit and nut value chains.
During a meeting with Mrs. Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner, Minister Owusu-Banahene expressed concern over the annual wastage of 889,000 metric tons of cashew fruits in the region due to the lack of processing facilities. She emphasized the urgent need for value addition initiatives to capitalize on the region’s cashew production potential.
The Minister highlighted the significant cashew plantation acreage, totaling about 74,000 acres, and an annual production of 88,900 tons of cashew beans. However, she lamented the challenges faced by the sector, including fragmented value chains, price volatility, and inadequate farm management practices.
In addition to the cashew industry, Minister Owusu-Banahene identified the poultry sector as another key economic driver in the region. With over 1,160 farmers and approximately 8,000,000 poultry stock, the sector holds immense potential. Nevertheless, challenges such as the absence of a laboratory, high costs of poultry feed and drugs, and stiff competition from imported products hinder its growth.
Mrs. Thompson, the British High Commissioner, commended the economic potential of the region, especially in the poultry sector. She affirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting trade in Ghana through initiatives aimed at value addition and market expansion.
The meeting between Minister Owusu-Banahene and Mrs. Thompson underscores the importance of collaboration between Ghana and its development partners to unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector and drive economic growth in the Bono Region.
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