Ghana targets 100,000 hectares for oil palm expansion

Ghana is launching a major expansion of its oil palm industry, targeting the development of 100,000 hectares of new plantations. The initiative aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, and reduce the nation's heavy reliance on imported palm oil.

At the National Oil Palm Multistakeholder Roundtable Forum in Accra, Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku emphasized the need to move from policy discussions to measurable implementation. He noted that the current supply deficit results in lost jobs, underused processing capacity, and a drain on foreign exchange. The expansion is intended to support a wide value chain, including farmers, processors, and manufacturers of soap, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

The forum, organized by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), brought together various stakeholders to establish clear responsibilities, timelines, and resources to ensure the sector's revitalization.