Inaugural TCDA Investment Fair Launched by Trade Minister with Emphasis on Innovation and Value Creation

Ghana’s First Tree Crops Investment Fair Launched: Trade Minister Urges Shift from Raw Exports to Industrial Value Addition

Ghana’s ambitions to transform its agricultural sector took a major step forward as the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, officially launched the maiden edition of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) Investment Fair and Exhibition. The launch, held in Accra on July 28, 2025, set the stage for the main event scheduled for September 2025.

The fair, a first of its kind in the country, aims to position Ghana’s tree crops sector as a driver of agro-industrial growth, moving away from dependence on raw commodity exports. In her keynote address, Minister Ofosu-Adjare described the initiative as a bold response to the country’s need for sustainable economic diversification and industrialisation.

“This fair is not just an event—it is a clear statement of our intent,” she said. “Ghana is transitioning from an economy built on raw commodity exports to one driven by processing, value addition, and competitive agribusiness. This is how we build resilience and long-term prosperity.”

She noted that while Ghana is a major producer of cashew, shea, and other high-value crops, the country continues to lose billions annually by exporting them in raw form. The Minister argued that the failure to process these commodities locally undermines economic growth and job creation.

“We cannot keep exporting raw cashew nuts and discard the valuable cashew apple,” she stressed. “We should not be shipping unprocessed shea nuts while other markets profit from premium products like shea butter, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Value addition is no longer a choice—it is a national obligation.”

Hon. Ofosu-Adjare called on public and private stakeholders to support a full-scale transformation of the tree crops industry. She emphasized the importance of targeted investment in key areas such as processing infrastructure, farm-level innovation, storage facilities, logistics systems, and workforce development.

“The Ministry is committed to building a strong partnership with the Tree Crops Development Authority, private investors, and development agencies,” she said. “Our role is to create the right conditions—policy, investment frameworks, and technical support—to unlock the full potential of this sector.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, outlined the goals of the upcoming fair, which he said would bring together players across the agricultural value chain. He explained that the event would showcase opportunities in Ghana’s six strategic tree crops—cashew, shea, coconut, oil palm, rubber, and mango—and attract investment from both local and international actors.

“This fair will be a platform for action,” Dr. Okrah said. “We’re not just exhibiting products—we’re opening doors to collaboration, innovation, and growth. By highlighting the economic value of these crops, we can trigger investment and policy shifts that benefit farmers, processors, and the entire economy.”

Dr. Okrah emphasized that the Authority’s mission goes beyond regulation, aiming to drive growth across production, processing, and export stages. He believes the September fair will mark the beginning of a more coordinated national approach to tree crop development.

The Tree Crops Development Authority, established to regulate and promote the development of Ghana’s key tree crops, has become instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives to scale the sector. With growing global demand for sustainably produced, high-value agricultural products, Ghana is strategically positioned to lead the continent’s tree crop revolution—if it can boost local processing and value addition.

The upcoming TCDA Investment Fair is expected to attract agribusiness leaders, policymakers, financiers, producers, and international investors. It will offer opportunities to forge partnerships, showcase technologies, and align national strategies with global market trends.

As Ghana gears up for the September event, the message from government and industry leaders is clear: the era of raw export dependence must give way to innovation, industrialisation, and full value chain participation.