The sixth Council of Ministers’ Conference of the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC) will be hosted in Ghana, focusing on promoting matters concerning the cashew value chain.
Accompanying the conference will be a cashew research dialogue, cashew fair, and an exhibition held in Accra. These events are scheduled to run from Tuesday, April 16, to Saturday, April 20, of this year.
Twenty-two Trade and Agriculture Ministers from eleven countries are anticipated to participate in the conference at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel. The countries joining the conference are Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire.
Aligned with the Tree Crops Development Agenda, the event aims to showcase the progress achieved in the cashew sector within the country and attract potential investors to the industry.
Presently, Ghana exports approximately 30,000 tonnes of cashew annually, generating $400 million in exports last year. Yaw Oteng, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), disclosed this during a press briefing in Accra last Wednesday. Oteng stated that participants at the cashew research dialogue, including ministers, experts, and researchers from member states, would exchange knowledge, discuss achievements, and identify research and development gaps within the cashew industry.
Additionally, the event aims to facilitate cross-learning and sharing of experiences among the scientific community to inform policy decisions and investment requirements in the sector.
Furthermore, the Cashew Expo and Exhibition, themed “Projecting the cashew sector through local consumption, value addition, and job creation,” will feature various cashew products, educate the public about their benefits, and connect local cashew processors with potential markets. The exhibition aims to boost the consumption of cashew products and enhance visibility for small and medium-sized cashew processors. Oteng highlighted that the event would position the country as the preferred destination for cashew production, trading, and exports.
The hosting of the 6th Council of Ministers’ conference in Ghana underscores our dedication to the development of the cashew sector and our commitment to showcasing its potential,” remarked the Deputy CEO of TCDA.
Highlighting the benefits of the event, Mr. Oteng noted that it would attract increased foreign direct investment, contributing to the stabilization of the country’s currency and further advancement of the industry. He urged all stakeholders in the value chain, including producers, aggregators, traders, processors, and exporters, to actively participate in order to expand their cashew businesses.
Mr. Oteng also mentioned that due to the country’s progress in recent years, Ghana is being considered to host the research and training center for member countries in Africa, with the Wenchi Agriculture Station identified for upgrading to serve this purpose.
Background of CICC:
Established in 2016, the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC) aims to provide a platform for consultation and promote the development of the cashew sector among member states through policy coordination and cooperation. Originating from the second edition of the international exhibition of cashew processing equipment and technology (SIETTA), its headquarters is situated in Abidjan. The vision of CICC is to serve its member countries through promotion, advocacy, knowledge sharing, innovation, partnership, and facilitating discussions on global issues concerning the cashew value chain.
