The government has unveiled plans to significantly expand coconut cultivation in Ghana, with a target of doubling the country’s total plantation coverage from 90,000 hectares to 180,000 hectares by 2028.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, is aimed at strengthening livelihoods, boosting productivity, and deepening value chain development within the coconut sector to make it more competitive and commercially sustainable.
Ghana currently leads Africa in coconut production and ranks among the world’s top 12 producers, recording annual output of over 500,000 metric tonnes of fresh coconuts. The sector plays a vital role in the economy, supporting the livelihoods of nearly 1.8 million people nationwide.
Under the Coconut Value Chain Development Initiative, government has so far distributed about three million three-month-old coconut seedlings and other planting materials to more than 2,000 farmers across 11 regions. This intervention has led to the establishment of 31,500 hectares of new coconut plantations, complementing the existing 90,000 hectares already cultivated across the country.
Beyond the distribution of seedlings, the programme places strong emphasis on capacity building to ensure long-term sustainability. Beneficiary farmers are being trained not only in coconut production, but also in value addition and the adoption of best agricultural practices.
Speaking at a Training and Capacity Building Programme for the initiative, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, stressed that distributing seedlings alone is not enough to transform the sector.
“True transformation comes when farmers are empowered with the right knowledge and skills,” he said.
Dr Otokunor explained that government is committed to equipping coconut farmers with modern farming techniques, proper planting methods, effective farm management practices, pest and disease control measures, and the skills needed to run farming as a profitable business.
He reiterated the programme’s long-term vision, noting that by the end of the government’s term in 2028, coconut plantation coverage nationwide is expected to double to 180,000 hectares.
He urged beneficiary farmers to nurture the seedlings carefully and serve as ambassadors of the initiative by sharing information within their communities on the opportunities available in agriculture and the profitability of farming.
Dr Otokunor also highlighted the importance of value addition, cautioning that reliance on the sale of raw coconuts limits income potential. He encouraged farmers to explore processing, packaging and branding opportunities to increase product value and access broader markets.
Commending key partners, he praised Ghana Exim Bank for its critical role in financing agribusiness and supporting exports, as well as the Coconut Federation of Ghana (COCOFEG) for its advocacy and organisational efforts to strengthen the sector.
Project Manager of COCOFEG, Abdul-Rahman Tamimu, welcomed the government’s intervention, describing the support from Ghana Exim Bank as timely. He said the initiative would help address long-standing challenges such as low productivity and limited access to technical expertise.
According to him, the training programme will enable farmers to adopt improved practices, leading to higher yields, increased incomes and better living standards.
Deputy Manager for Projects at Ghana Exim Bank, Isaac Obeng Antwi-Arko, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting agriculture and agribusiness as key drivers of national development.
Government has assured stakeholders that it will continue collaborating with financial institutions, farmer-based organisations and industry players to further strengthen Ghana’s agriculture and agribusiness sectors.
