Ghana Adjusts Agricultural Strategy as Cocoa Growth Slows and Cashew Council Sets New Leadership

Ghana’s agricultural sector is navigating a period of transition as the cocoa industry experiences a sharp deceleration in growth, while other sub-sectors such as cashew and livestock receive significant institutional and infrastructural boosts. Data from the first quarter of 2026 reveals that cocoa growth slowed to 3.8% year-on-year, a stark contrast to the 23.1% surge recorded during the same period in 2025. This shift highlights the volatility of traditional commodities and underscores the importance of the government's current drive toward diversification and structural improvement within the broader agribusiness landscape.

The cocoa sector's reduced momentum has notably impacted its contribution to the national economy, with its share of GDP growth falling from 5.0 percentage points in Q1 2025 to just 0.9 percentage points in Q1 2026. Despite the broader agricultural sector maintaining a 4.0% growth rate, the cooling cocoa market remains a focal point for economists. However, international market conditions offer a glimmer of hope as cocoa prices have rebounded to approximately US$5,000 per tonne, recovering from previous lows below the $4,000 mark. This price recovery could provide necessary liquidity for farmers as the industry enters this moderate growth phase following the high-rebound period of 2025.

Amidst these economic shifts, the Cashew Council Ghana (CCG) has taken a major step toward formalizing its operations with the inauguration of a new 15-member governing board in Sunyani. Led by newly elected chairman Ed-Malvin Nii Ayi Bontey Smith, the board aims to enhance coordination across the cashew value chain and strengthen stakeholder engagement. Rich Kofi Kofituo, Deputy CEO of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), emphasized that the board will play a critical role in advocating for industry interests. This institutional strengthening comes ahead of the 2026 Annual Cashew Conference and Expo, scheduled for September in Accra, which will focus on securing sustainable supply chains.

Complementing these industrial developments is a renewed focus on regional livestock infrastructure, highlighted by the commissioning of the new Cattle Market at Donkorkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District. The modern facility is designed to enhance livestock trading and bolster food security in the region by providing a structured environment for trade. By creating new economic opportunities for local residents and stakeholders, the government aims to foster sustainable development. Together, these initiatives in the cashew and livestock sectors represent a concerted effort to build a more resilient and diversified agricultural economy that can better withstand fluctuations in traditional commodity markets.