By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The country has unveiled a major agricultural programme aimed at transforming its coconut sector and creating thousands of jobs, with President John Dramani Mahama launching the distribution of three million elite coconut seedlings under the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA).
Financed by the Ghana Exim Bank (GEXIM) and jointly implemented by the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG), with support from the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), the initiative targets over 20,000 farmers across 11 regions.
Strategic Investment in Rural Growth
Describing the effort as a “game-changer”, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of PIAA, said the programme goes beyond ceremonial planting.
“By targeting over 20,000 farmers across 11 regions, we are not just planting trees, we are planting sustainable futures and inclusive prosperity,” he noted.
COCOFEG President Patrick Ndabiah praised the government’s commitment, saying the Federation is mobilising farmers nationwide to make Ghana a “centre of excellence for coconut in Africa”.
He noted: “We are grateful to President Mahama for this bold and practical intervention.”
Economic and Social Impact
The seedlings, expected to achieve a 90 per cent survival rate, will be distributed free, along with technical support, training and links to export markets.
Officials project the initiative will create more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs spanning nursery operations, transport, processing, marketing and export logistics.
FAGE President Davies Narh Korboe said the project is about “restoring dignity to rural farmers, creating jobs for the youth, and opening up Ghana to export-led development. Coconut is the new cocoa. Let’s nurture it right.”
Currently, Ghana’s coconut sector contributes over USD12 million annually in export earnings.
With global demand for coconut water, oil, coir, husk, milk and cosmetics rising, the government believes the initiative can dramatically increase revenues and strengthen Ghana’s position as Africa’s top coconut producer.
Long-Term Vision
GEXIM Chief Executive Sylvester Mensah affirmed the bank’s backing for non-traditional exports, calling coconut “an economic tree” that can drive sustainable industrial growth.
Officials say the first harvests could begin within three years, while mature trees can yield for more than six decades.
Building on the current momentum, Ghana plans to plant an additional 10 million trees in the coming years, aiming to become a key player in the multi-billion-dollar global coconut economy.
