Ghana Hosts Successful National Cashew Fair Showcasing Industry Innovations
From April 17th to 20th, 2024, Ghana's Afua Sutherland Park in Accra was the bustling center of the National Cashew Fair, an event organized by the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), the Cashew Council Ghana (CCG) and the Association of Cashew Processors Ghana (ACPG). The fair brought together key players in the cashew value chain, particularly processors, to showcase a variety of cashew products and by-products, fostering an environment ripe for networking and collaboration.
The fair was inaugurated in the esteemed presence of Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon Yaw Frimpong Addo, CEO of the Tree Crop Development Authority, Hon William Quaittoo, Executive Secretary of the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC), Mr. André Tandjiékpon, along with other distinguished dignitaries. Their presence underscored the importance of the cashew sector to Ghana's agricultural and economic landscape.
One of the highlights of the fair was a tasting event organized by the GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew project. This event emphasized the nutritional benefits of cashews and showcased the versatility of cashew-based recipes, promoting both health and economic development. Attendees sampled a variety of innovative dishes, including cashew apple juice and blends (with pineapple, mango, and ginger), cashew nut soup, cashew yam balls, cashew apple chicken light soup, cashew kebab, cashew nut biscuits, and cashew jam. Participants were invited to provide feedback, enriching the event with their insights.
A dedicated booth for women in the cashew industry, known as "CasheWomen," was another significant feature of the fair. This initiative aimed to educate, empower and encourage women to engage in the cashew sector. The fifth edition of the CasheWomen book, featuring 35 inspiring stories, was distributed alongside branded tote bags, highlighting the crucial role women play in the industry.
The fair culminated on April 20th with a visit from several high-profile dignitaries, including the European Union's Mrs. Paulina Rozycka, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State for Food and Agriculture, Mr. Kobena Kouassi Adjoumani, and Managing Director of Conseil du Cotton et de l’Anacarde (CCA), Dr. Adama Coulibaly. These officials, alongside CICC and TCDA ministers, expressed profound appreciation for the contributions of CasheWomen to the cashew industry.
The success of the National Cashew Fair was a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Ghanaian government and its partners. The GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew initiative, financed by the European Union under the Samoa Agreement with the OACPS and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), played a pivotal role in this achievement.
Congratulations to all involved for their unwavering commitment to advancing the cashew sector and empowering women within the industry.
This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
The Joint Action is jointly co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa agreement with the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States(OACPS) and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.