The government of Ghana has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost annual coconut export revenues from US$11.4 million to over US$18.1 million, a near 60 per cent increase.

The initiative is intended to consolidate Ghana’s position as Africa’s leading coconut exporter and enhance its competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Announcing the move, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, said the government had launched a nationwide farmer registration exercise under its Three Million Coconut Seedlings Programme. 

“The distribution of three million elite coconut seedlings, which we are opening registration for today, is designed to scale progress dramatically and expand cultivation by 20,000 hectares,” he stated.

Dr Otokunor explained that the project would expand the cultivated area from 90,000 hectares to 110,000 hectares in the short term, with a medium-term goal of reaching 150,000 hectares. 

“Most importantly, this initiative will increase export revenue by 60 per cent, from US$11.4 million to more than US$18.1 million annually,” he added. Farmers, cooperatives and young agri-preneurs can register for seedlings via the official portal, www.piaa.gov.gh, until September 30.

As part of efforts to position Africa as a global hub for the coconut industry, Dr Otokunor also revealed that the Presidential Initiatives Directorate is backing the Coconut Federation of Ghana in establishing the African Coconut Board (AFRICOBOD), which will be headquartered in Ghana. 

AFRICOBOD will bring together coconut-producing countries across the continent to drive growth and development in the sub-sector.