08/07/2026
Cashew Watch Ghana, TCDA and STAR Ghana Foundation Strengthen Collaboration to Amplify Farmers’ Voices and Build Climate-Resilient Cashew Sector
Accra, Ghana – The leadership of Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG), together with its strategic partner, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), has paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Director and Management of the STAR Ghana Foundation to share progress updates on the implementation of the Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers (AVCF) Project and explore pathways for strengthening collaboration towards a sustainable and climate-resilient cashew sector in Ghana.
The engagement provided an important platform for Cashew Watch Ghana to brief STAR Ghana Foundation on key achievements, lessons learned, and emerging opportunities from the project, which is being implemented with financial support from STAR Ghana Foundation through the Amplifying Voices for Inclusive Development (AVID) Programme.
The delegation, led by the leadership of Cashew Watch Ghana and the Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority, expressed appreciation to STAR Ghana Foundation for its continued partnership and support towards empowering smallholder cashew farmers and promoting inclusive participation in Ghana’s tree crops sector.
During the meeting, Cashew Watch Ghana highlighted significant milestones achieved under the AVCF Project, including strengthening farmer organisations, enhancing farmers’ capacity to engage duty bearers, promoting accountability within the cashew value chain, and creating platforms for smallholder farmers to actively participate in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
A major area of discussion during the engagement was the growing impact of climate change on Ghana’s cashew sector and the urgent need to support farmers to adapt to the challenges associated with changing climatic conditions. Stakeholders acknowledged that climate variability, including irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged dry seasons, rising temperatures, and increasing environmental pressures, continues to affect cashew productivity, farm sustainability, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The meeting emphasised the need for increased investment in climate-smart agriculture practices, farmer education, access to climate-resilient planting materials, improved land management practices, water conservation approaches, and strengthened extension support services to enable cashew farmers to better respond to climate-related risks.
Participants also discussed the importance of integrating climate adaptation strategies into cashew sector development programmes and ensuring that farmers, who are often the most affected by climate change, are empowered with the knowledge, tools, and resources required to build resilient farming systems.
The leadership of Cashew Watch Ghana noted that addressing climate change must become a central component of efforts to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of Ghana’s cashew industry.
“The future of Ghana’s cashew sector depends on our ability to support farmers to adapt to climate change. Smallholder farmers are experiencing the effects of climate variability firsthand, and therefore their voices, experiences, and solutions must inform policies and interventions aimed at building a resilient agricultural sector,” the CWG leadership stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority emphasised the importance of collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, and farmer groups in addressing emerging challenges within the tree crops sector.
He commended Cashew Watch Ghana for creating platforms that enable farmers to engage stakeholders and contribute to discussions on policies and practices that influence their livelihoods.
The Executive Director and Management of STAR Ghana Foundation welcomed the engagement and commended Cashew Watch Ghana and TCDA for the progress achieved under the AVCF Project. They reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote citizen participation, accountability, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development.
The meeting further provided an opportunity for stakeholders to explore sustainability strategies and future areas of collaboration, particularly in promoting climate resilience, strengthening farmer advocacy, and ensuring that smallholder cashew farmers remain central to Ghana’s tree crops transformation agenda.
The courtesy visit concluded with a renewed commitment among the partners to deepen collaboration and continue supporting initiatives that amplify farmers’ voices while addressing critical challenges, including climate change, that threaten the sustainability of the cashew sector.
About the Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers Project
The Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers (AVCF) Project is an initiative of Cashew Watch Ghana implemented with funding support from the STAR Ghana Foundation through the AVID Programme. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of cashew farmers and their organisations to participate effectively in decision-making processes, engage relevant stakeholders, and advocate for policies and interventions that promote sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and inclusive growth within Ghana’s cashew value chain.
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
STAR-Ghana Foundation
Global Goals for Sustainable Development
Ministry Of Youth Development And Empowerment, Ghana
