28/02/2026
Cashew Farmers Urge President Mahama to Expedite Establishment of Cashew Development Board
Cashew farmers in Bono Region have called on former President John Dramani Mahama to fast-track action on his pledge to establish a Cashew Development Board, aimed at strengthening regulation, improving pricing systems, and driving sustainable growth within Ghana’s cashew sector.
According to the farmers, the creation of a dedicated Board would provide the strategic direction, policy coordination, and institutional support needed to transform the cashew industry into a major economic driver comparable to the cocoa sector.
The call was made during an advocacy training workshop for cashew farmers held at Drobo in the Jaman North District. The training was organized by Cashew Watch Ghana under its Project: Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers with support from the STAR-Ghana Foundation.
Farmers’ Cite Need for Dedicated Focus
According to the farmers, although the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) was established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) to regulate and promote sustainable production, processing, and trading of six major tree crops , cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm, the cashew sector requires more specialized attention.
They acknowledged the mandate of TCDA but argued that cashew, as one of Ghana’s leading non-traditional export earners, deserves a dedicated board that focuses solely on its unique challenges and opportunities.
According to them, a separate Cashew Development Board would:
• Provide targeted policy direction for the cashew value chain
• Ensure fair and stable farmgate pricing
• Strengthen quality control and export standards
• Promote local processing and value addition
• Facilitate access to credit and farm inputs
• Accelerate government interventions in cashew-growing communities
Sector Facing Persistent Challenges
Participants at the workshop highlighted several challenges confronting cashew farmers, including:
• Unstable and low farmgate prices
• Limited access to affordable credit
• Inadequate extension services
• Poor road networks affecting transportation
• Exploitation by middlemen
• Lack of clear regulatory framework
The farmers argued that, unlike cocoa which benefits from a structured regulatory body, the cashew sector lacks a strong institutional framework to oversee pricing, quality control, export standards, and value addition.
Call for Strategic Policy Direction
Some farmers noted that the establishment of a Cashew Development Board would:
• Ensure fair pricing mechanisms
• Strengthen quality assurance and standards
• Promote local processing and value addition
• Facilitate access to finance and farm inputs
• Coordinate research and extension services
They emphasized that Bono Region remains one of Ghana’s leading cashew-producing areas, contributing significantly to export earnings and rural livelihoods. However, they lamented that the sector has not received the needed policy attention and investment to maximize its potential.
Advocacy and Empowerment
Speaking at the training, the Functional Steering Committee Chairperson of Cashew Watch Ghana, Simon Asore, encouraged farmers to remain united and actively engage policymakers to demand accountability and reforms in the sector. The advocacy training, he said, was aimed at equipping farmers with skills in policy engagement, negotiation, and stakeholder dialogue to amplify their voices at the national level.
The National Coordinator of Cashew Watch Ghana, Raphael Godlove Ahenu, reiterated their commitment to supporting cashew sector initiatives that promote transparency, inclusive governance, and citizen participation in economic policy discussions.
A Sector with Untapped Potential
The Interim Chairman of Bono Cashew Farmers’ Cooperative Union, Daniel Kofi Munufie, stressed that Ghana’s cashew industry holds immense potential for job creation, poverty reduction, and export diversification. Mr Munufie therefore called on government to act swiftly to establish the Cashew Development Board to provide the leadership and coordination required to unlock the full value of the sector.
Call for Policy Action
The farmers stressed that Bono Region remains one of Ghana’s major cashew-producing hubs and contributes significantly to rural livelihoods and export revenue. However, they believe the full economic potential of the sector can only be realized through deliberate and dedicated government action.
They therefore urged President Mahama to fulfill his commitment by fast-tracking the establishment of a Cashew Development Board, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening Ghana’s position in the global cashew market and improving the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) European Union in GhanaSTAR-Ghana Foundation Jubilee House John Dramani Mahama U.S. Embassy Ghana Mighty Earth Oxfam
