Mahama announces plan to halt export of raw cashew, shea and rubber
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to boost local processing of Ghana’s tree crops, declaring that the country will stop exporting raw agricultural commodities only to import finished products at higher costs.
Speaking at the Ghana Tree Crop Investment Summit in Accra on Tuesday, February 17, President Mahama said his government is aiming to process between 50 and 60 per cent of key crops—including cashew, shea and rubber—locally each year.
He stressed that Ghana must add value to its produce before exporting it, rather than allowing other countries to profit from processing Ghanaian raw materials. “We will no longer export raw cashew, raw shea or unprocessed rubber while importing the same finished products at higher prices,” he stated.
To achieve this, the President outlined plans to expand agro-industrial parks, introduce incentives to attract private sector investment in processing, and strengthen regulatory supervision through the Tree Crops Development Authority.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment under the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development, describing oil palm as “red gold.” According to him, the government will invest $500 million to cultivate 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations, a move expected to generate about 250,000 direct jobs.
President Mahama said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to industrialise the agricultural sector, promote value addition and create sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.
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