Asantehene Urges Ghana to Diversify Economy Beyond Cocoa
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urges Ghana to move beyond cocoa, highlighting the potential of cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea to drive sustainable economic growth and environmental restoration.
- Otumfuo Osei Tutu II warns that cocoa alone can no longer sustain Ghana’s economic ambitions
- He advocates for diversification into other tree crops—cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea
- The Asantehene calls on traditional authorities to support large-scale
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has stressed that Ghana can no longer rely solely on cocoa to drive its economic growth, calling instead for a strategic expansion into other tree crops and sectors.
While cocoa has historically been the backbone of Ghana’s economy—supporting education, community development, rural livelihoods, and earning global recognition for the country as a reliable agricultural producer—its future faces mounting challenges.
Speaking at the 2026 Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition, the Asantehene’s address was delivered on his behalf by the Nkoranza Manhene, Nana Kwame Baffoe IV.
He highlighted threats to cocoa production, including environmental degradation from illegal mining, shifts in rainfall patterns due to climate change, shorter growing seasons, and increased pest and disease pressures, all of which have contributed to declining yields in key cocoa-growing regions.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended the government’s efforts to diversify Ghana’s tree crop sector, pointing to cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea as potential sources of significant economic growth.
“This vision is not speculative. It is grounded in economic logic, ecological necessity, and global market demand. It deserves national commitment, investment, and long-term focus,” he said.
Noting that cocoa currently generates about two billion dollars annually, he projected that a diversified tree crop sector could realistically produce 12 billion dollars or more, positioning it as a powerful engine for sustainable growth. He added that achieving this potential will require patience, substantial investment, disciplined management, and coordinated efforts.
The Asantehene also emphasised the environmental benefits of tree crops, including land rehabilitation, soil stabilization, and watershed protection. As custodians of over 80 percent of Ghana’s land, traditional authorities have a crucial role to play in ensuring responsible land stewardship.
He called on all traditional leaders across the country to make land available for large-scale, sustainable tree crop development, urging collective action to strengthen Ghana’s green economy.
