Cashew farmers in the Bono Region have received targeted training in financial management as part of efforts to improve credit access and strengthen farm productivity in one of Ghana’s key non-traditional export sectors.
The training, organised by Cashew Watch Ghana, focused on equipping farmers with practical skills in savings culture, record-keeping, documentation and credit management — competencies considered essential for unlocking financing and scaling production.
The engagement, held at Nsawkaw in the Tain District, brought together farmers and financial institutions in a partnership dialogue aimed at bridging longstanding information gaps between lenders and producers.
The forum formed part of the implementation of the ‘Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers Project’, funded by Star Ghana Foundation. According to organisers, the initiative seeks to improve collaboration between farmers and financial institutions while demystifying lending requirements that many smallholders struggle to meet.
Access to finance remains one of the most significant constraints facing cashew farmers in Ghana, particularly in the Bono Region where the crop is a major source of household income. Farmers frequently cite high interest rates, stringent collateral requirements and limited clarity on documentation as key barriers to securing working capital.
The dialogue also provided financial institutions with the opportunity to outline eligibility criteria, lending procedures and expectations regarding repayment performance and financial discipline.
In his presentation, the Branch Manager of Nkoranman Rural Bank, Hamidu Seidu, said the bank had so far disbursed approximately GH¢2 million in the 2025/2026 season to cashew farmers within its catchment area. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to expanding credit support for the growth and development of the cashew sector.
He advised farmers to keep proper farm records, including farm size and production data, and urged them to operate within organised groups or cooperatives to improve their creditworthiness.
Seidu further encouraged farmers to cultivate a strong savings culture and build credible repayment histories, noting that “consistent financial behaviour significantly enhances access to larger credit facilities in subsequent seasons.”
A participant, Afriyie Nkansa, described the initiative as timely and commended Cashew Watch Ghana for the training. “Improved access to affordable credit would allow us to invest in quality seedlings, farm maintenance including pruning, and the purchase of pesticides to boost yields,” she said.
The National Coordinator of Cashew Watch Ghana, Raphael Godlove Ahenu, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to advancing policy advocacy and partnerships to strengthen the cashew value chain.
He said empowering farmers with financial knowledge and improved access to capital is critical to sustaining growth in Ghana’s cashew industry and enhancing rural livelihoods in the Bono Region.
Participating financial institutions included Nkoranman Rural Bank, Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd, and Brong-Ahafo Catholic Co-operative Society for Development (BASSCOD).
Comments