Ghana’s government has unveiled an ambitious agricultural roadmap to literally double the country’s coconut plantation coverage — from about 90,000 hectares to 180,000 hectares by the end of 2028. This marks a major push to cement Ghana’s status as Africa’s leading coconut producer and escalate its presence in global markets.
The strategy is part of a broader vision under the Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness to strengthen the coconut value chain and shift the sector from traditional farming toward commercial and industrial agriculture.
Massive Seedling Distribution & Farmer Engagement
A cornerstone of this drive has been the distribution of millions of high‑yield, disease‑resistant coconut seedlings to farmers across the country. Tens of thousands of hectares have already been planted through this programme — bringing fresh coconut coverage into 11 regions so far.
This initiative isn’t just about planting more trees — it’s also about equipping farmers with modern farming skills, pest control techniques, and business training so coconut farming becomes a profitable commercial enterprise.
Value Addition & Economic Impact
The government is determined to go beyond raw nut exports. Under the expansion plan, producers are encouraged to engage in value addition — processing coconuts into oil, water, milk, activated carbon, cosmetics, and other higher‑value products — which can significantly boost export earnings and open new markets.
This value‑chain focus aims to generate sustainable jobs, especially for youth and women in rural communities, and increase foreign exchange earnings from the sector.
Strengthening Ghana’s Coconut Power Status
Currently, Ghana is already the largest coconut producer in Africa and among the top 12 producers globally, supplying hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes annually.
With the expansion driving both production and processing capacity, Ghana hopes to consolidate this leadership and become a continental hub for coconut production and related industries.
