The top leadership of the Cashew Traders and Exporters Association of Ghana (CTEAG) has held a one-day executive meeting at the Taiko Hotel to deliberate on strategies to strengthen the cashew industry, improve market regulation, and promote local value addition.
The meeting, which brought together national and regional executives, as well as key stakeholders in the cashew value chain, focused on finding sustainable solutions to challenges such as unregulated pricing, illegal foreign buying, and poor road infrastructure in cashew-growing areas.
Addressing the gathering, the National Organizer of CTEAG, Mr. Kwabena Owusu, emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to revamp the cashew sector. He reaffirmed the Association’s support for the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) currently before Parliament, noting that its passage would address illegal buying, pricing distortions, and unlicensed participation in the cashew trade.
Mr. Owusu announced that CTEAG has established task forces across major cashew-producing zones to monitor trading activities, prevent market abuse, and ensure compliance with national regulations. He said this proactive approach aligns with efforts to protect local traders and promote fairness in the sector.
He also used the platform to call on government to prioritize the construction of the Berekum–Sampa road, describing it as a critical route for cashew transport and trade in the Bono Region. According to him, the poor state of the road continues to hinder smooth transportation, delay export activities, and increase post-harvest losses.
“The Berekum–Sampa road is the lifeline of our cashew trade in this corridor,” he said. “If the government rehabilitates that stretch, it will drastically reduce transport costs, improve cashew quality, and increase income for both farmers and traders.”
A board member from the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) also graced the event and commended CTEAG for its commitment to promoting transparency and discipline in the cashew value chain. The representative assured the Association of TCDA’s continued collaboration to improve farmer welfare, strengthen regulation, and expand local processing capacity.
Mr. Owusu further appealed to farmers to follow best post-harvest practices, especially proper drying of cashew nuts before sale, stressing that well-dried nuts attract higher market value and maintain Ghana’s reputation for quality produce.
He reiterated that cashew is fast becoming Ghana’s new economic engine, capable of generating massive employment and foreign exchange if properly managed. “Our cashew sector can rival cocoa, but only if we control the value chain and invest in infrastructure,” he added.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by CTEAG executives to collaborate with government, the TCDA, and other relevant institutions to promote growth, transparency, and sustainability in the cashew industry.
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