The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), STAR Ghana Foundation and Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG) are seeking to diversify funding for Ghana's cashew sector by tapping government support, private sector investment and matched financing as donor funding for development programmes continues to decline.
The partners reached the decision during a strategic meeting in Accra, saying a broader financing model was needed to sustain climate-resilient interventions, farmer advocacy and value chain development.
The discussions formed part of a review of the Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers (AVCF) Project, funded by STAR Ghana Foundation under the Amplifying Voices for Inclusive Development (AVID) Programme.
The organisations also called for increased investment in climate-smart agriculture, farmer education, climate-resilient planting materials, improved land management and extension services to help producers adapt to the growing impact of climate change.
The TCDA, as the regulator, cannot do it alone. That is why strategic partnerships and collaboration are essential to mobilising the resources and expertise needed to transform the sector," TCDA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andy Osei Okrah said.
He said collaboration among government, civil society organisations, development partners and farmer groups was critical to addressing emerging challenges in the tree crops sector, and commended STAR Ghana Foundation and Cashew Watch Ghana for strengthening farmer engagement and promoting participation in sector governance.
STAR Ghana Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting citizen participation, accountability, environmental sustainability and inclusive development.
The Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, described the Foundation's partnership with Cashew Watch Ghana as "one of the most productive collaborations" and called for more sustainable financing to expand interventions and improve livelihoods across the cashew value chain, particularly for women.
How long can we continue to depend on donor funding for projects with such significant impact? The time has come to rethink the financing model and bridge the funding gap by developing more sustainable sources of support for our development initiatives," Amidu said.
Simon Asore of Cashew Watch Ghana presented the project's achievements, lessons learned and emerging opportunities, citing improvements in farmer participation, accountability and engagement across the cashew value chain.
The meeting ended with the three organisations pledging to deepen collaboration, strengthen climate resilience initiatives and develop diversified financing mechanisms to support Ghana's tree crops transformation while keeping smallholder cashew farmers at the centre of sector development.
The Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers (AVCF) Project is being implemented by Cashew Watch Ghana with funding from STAR Ghana Foundation under the Amplifying Voices for Inclusive Development (AVID) Programme. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of cashew farmers and their organisations to engage in policy dialogue, advocate for reforms and promote sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience and inclusive growth across Ghana's cashew value chain.
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