The Government of Ghana's vision for the development of Tree Crops is holistic and aims at promoting sustainable growth of the entire sub-sector, taking into account all the differences between the crops and the various production areas.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, who made this known at the launch of the oil palm development association for Ghana in Accra, said oil palm supply chain production if developed will see increased production and productivity; that will promote investment and increase processing capacities; improving marketing; promoting sustainable practices for environmental protection; and support research and development .
He said currently the agriculture sector produces over 60 percent of the employment force of the country and stated that as a nation we have a relaxing culture , calling for perseverance in other to move ahead .He said worldwide demand for palm oil including regional demand was also increasing, thereby offering the possibility of exporting oil palm from Ghana.
The launch saw The Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah who called for the establishment of a Palm Oil Development Board (PODB) to oversee policies, regulations, and possible legislation's in the industry.
Dr Spio-Garbrah said with increasing demand trends especially in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and body lotion industries,there will be a significant growth opportunity for the oil palm industry in Ghana,'
Mr Samuel Avaala, President of the OPDAG, told a media conference that the association is formed to enable farmers adopt best agronomic practices to boost production to meet the huge demand for oil palm
Mr Isaac Gyamfi managing director of solidaridad west Africa said, goal is to increase the productivity and profitability of small to medium scale enterprises, farms and mills in the oil palm sector initially in Ghana, and thereafter, replicated in other West African countries.
The royal Dutch Ambassador in Ghana, Hans Docter charge on the association to strive hard as oil palm business has a lot of financial gains.
The oil palm association of Ghana is a business registered under the laws of Ghana and formed under the umbrella of oil palm farmers in millers and end users, whilst it members comprises all relevant stakeholders and value chain actors in the oil palm industry in Ghana.They include small and medium to large scale oil palm growers and processors, refiners, manufactures,, marketers, suppliers and distributors,along the palm oil supply chain .