The Government of Ghana (GoG), in partnership with the World Bank, is set to launch the Ghana Tree Crop Diversification Project (TCDP) on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in Accra.

This groundbreaking initiative is designed to reshape Ghana’s agricultural sector and foster sustainable economic growth through the diversification of tree crops.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), in a statement issued on Monday, November 11, 2024, noted that the government aims to confront key challenges that compromise productivity and sustainability in the production of cocoa, cashew, coconut, and rubber.

It said the project would also address critical issues such as child labour and gender inequality within the industry.

“The TCDP proposes a two-pronged approach focusing on both cocoa and other strategic tree crops to enhance productivity, improve market access, and bolster the competitiveness of the private sector. With a total budget of USD 227.5 million, which includes a USD 27.5 million contribution from the GoG through COCOBOD, the project encompasses four primary components: 1. Institutional Strengthening and Value Chain Governance 2. Enhancing Tree Crop Productivity and Climate Resilience 3. Support for Post-Harvest Management, Value Addition, and Market Access 4. Project Coordination, Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation.”

“The project aims to achieve significant outcomes, such as increased yields and value addition for target tree crops, improved climate adaptation strategies, and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”

It said the TCDP would also implement protective measures to address child labour and promote gender equity in the agricultural workforce.

“The TCDP will be rolled out in eleven districts across six regions of Ghana, carefully chosen for their potential to maximize impact. The targeted areas include: • Cocoa: Western North’s Essam and Adabokrom, and Asamankese in the Eastern Region. • Cashew: Bole and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in the Savannah Region, Wenchi and Tain in the Bono Region, and Techiman Municipal and Techiman North in the Bono East Region. • Coconut: Upper West Akim and Suhum in the Eastern Region, and Rubber in Upper West Akim,” it added.