Accra: Ghana is actively exploring how to leverage climate finance to reduce emissions and improve productivity while elevating incomes, especially for smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of the agricultural economy. Mr. Eric Opoku, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, emphasized the need for stronger cooperation, greater transparency, and an inclusive approach that respects human rights and indigenous knowledge.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Opoku spoke at the opening of the two-day Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI) 9th Regional Meeting in Accra. The meeting, co-hosted by Proforest and Solidaridad, gathers ministers, government officials, civil society actors, and private sector leaders from countries representing 75% of Africa’s tropical forests and 25% globally, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, C´te d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone.
ASCI is a multi-stakeholder platform that positions African producer countries at the forefront of defining sustainable development principles for commodities like cocoa, rubber, palm oil, and coffee, aiming to protect livelihoods and natural resources. Mr. Opoku commended ASCI, Proforest, Solidaridad, and all stakeholders for fostering collaboration to craft environmentally and socially just solutions.
He highlighted the urgency for sustainable financing, responsible investment, and empowerment of smallholders as ASCI expands to include multiple commodities. As the government Focal Point for ASCI, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is committed to building deforestation-free, climate-smart supply chains in line with Ghana’s development priorities, embedded in the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LT-LEDS).
Mr. Opoku noted Ghana’s bold steps in the tree crop sector through the establishment of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), which regulates and supports sustainable growth of crops like oil palm, rubber, and cashew. By promoting best practices and enforcing sustainability standards, the TCDA is reshaping the future of Ghana’s non-cocoa tree crop landscape.
Mr. Eric Amoako Agyare, Ghana Country Representative for Solidaridad West Africa, stated that Solidaridad has been active in West Africa’s oil palm sector since 2012, improving yields and processing technology with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ghana. Since 2024, Solidaridad and IDH have been implementing the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) programme with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
NISCOPS aims to ensure sustainable management of oil palm landscapes and benefits for smallholder farmers through strengthened partnerships with private sector actors. Mr. Abraham Baffoe, Executive Director of Proforest, noted policy and capacity changes driven by ASCI over the last decade, creating an environment for sustainable agricultural development.
The regional meeting aims to share progress by member countries in creating policies for responsible agricultural production and identify opportunities for effective implementation of national principles and actions. The initiative holds potential to facilitate producer-consumer partnerships, ensuring compliance with national laws and demand-side measures like the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
