Dr. Efua Asabea Asare, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), has disclosed that Ghana’s strategic focus on investing in and nurturing the coconut industry has firmly established the country’s presence in the global market.
She highlighted that Ghana’s recognition for coconut-related products like coconut oil and coconut water on the international stage has significantly bolstered the country’s standing in the global coconut market.
Dr. Efua Asabea Asare conveyed this message during the third installment of the international coconut festival held in Takoradi.
Ghana possesses favorable climatic conditions, particularly in the tropical rainforest zone and along the coastal belt, including the Greater Accra, Central, Volta, and Western Regions, which make it ideal for the increased cultivation of coconuts for both domestic consumption and international markets.
In the Western Region, the majority of coconut production occurs in three districts: Jomorro, Nzema East, and Ellembelle.
The advantages of the coconut industry are diverse, with Ghana ranking ninth globally in desiccated coconut production.
In an effort to showcase the extensive benefits of the coconut trade, the third International Coconut Festival was held under the auspices of GEPA, featuring the theme: ‘Invest in Ghana’s coconut sector for inclusive economic transformation and improved climate and social resilience.’
“The government should just restructure the balance sheet of NIB to swap all the NIB debts that it owes the government and give the government equity but the government says it doesn’t have money to capitalise the bank but it has given 500 million bonds to NIB and it has given 800 million debt to NIB the two will give you 1.2 billion…commit to say that is your commitment to recapitalisation so we issue shares for you,” Mr Adongo alleged.