ASANTEHENE BACKS TREE CROPS AGENDA, SAYS COCOA ALONE CANNOT SUSTAIN GHANA.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has thrown his weight behind Ghana’s renewed push to diversify its agricultural sector, warning that cocoa alone cannot sustain the country’s long-term economic ambitions. Speaking through the Nkoranza Manhene, Nana Kwame Baffoe IV, at the Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit & Exhibition, the Asantehene underscored the urgent need for strategic diversification beyond cocoa, especially in light of climate change and global market volatility. “Cocoa alone cannot sustain Ghana’s economic ambitions. The combined strength of diverse tree crops can become a powerful engine of sustainable growth for the nation,” the Asantehene stated. He called on traditional authorities across the country to actively support the tree crops programme by making land available for responsible and large-scale development. According to him, chiefs have a critical role to play in facilitating investment, safeguarding community interests, and ensuring sustainable land use practices. The Asantehene further noted that a broadened tree crops economy — spanning cashew, shea, rubber, oil palm, coconut, and mango — could reduce Ghana’s vulnerability to commodity price shocks while creating jobs and expanding export earnings. His remarks reinforce calls made at the summit for stronger collaboration between government, traditional leaders, investors, and farmers to transform Ghana into a leading processor and exporter of finished agricultural products. ICAD TV — Reporting Mavis Addo. Bridging the Ga